Talanoa

Hufanga

This is a brutal two-year stretch for the 2022 first-team All-Pro. Hufanga tore his ACL in 2023 and is now sidelined at least four games due to the torn wrist ligament. The 49ers’ upcoming schedule consists of capable passing offenses, featuring the Seahawks, Chiefs, Cowboys and Buccaneers.

The team is still deciding whether to place Hufanga on injured reserve — we’d bet on that happening. Hufanga injured the wrist in the second quarter of Week 5’s game against the Cardinals. Rookie Malik Mustapha picked up most of Hufanga’s snaps and is line for more work going forward.

Hufanga exited in the second quarter and went to the locker room shortly after leaving the field. The 2022 All-Pro saw his 2023 season cut short by a torn ACL and made his 2024 debut in Week 3 against the Rams. We hope this isn’t another serious setback for a player who has battled all offseason to return to the field.

Hufanga is now out with an ankle injury, one week after making his 2024 debut following his 2023 ACL reconstruction. The 49ers will fortunately have Williams (illness, toe) protecting Brock Purdy’s blindside though. Deebo Samuel Sr. is active as well. He remains a high-ceiling WR1, though the 49ers could opt to rest him late in the game if they establish a comfortable lead, as expected.

Williams ground out the tough yards against the 49ers bullying defensive front, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. He efficiently averaged a season-high, 13.5 yards per reception and accounted for all three of the Rams’ touchdowns. The highlight of William’s day was a 15-yard receiving score in which he front-flipped over diving 49ers S Talanoa Hufanga into the end zone. Williams remains an RB1 against the Bears in Week 4.

49ers CB Charvarius Ward (hamstring/knee) is also active, and S Talanoa Hufanga (knee) makes his 2024 debut after suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 11, 2023. The three players should make their impact felt against an injury-depleted Rams offense.

The 2022 first-team All-Pro inches closer to a return from his Week 11, 2023 ACL tear. Hufanga’s Friday practice designation has yet to be released but he logged limited participant designations on Wednesday and Thursday after doing the same throughout Week 1. Hufanga seemingly has a chance to return in Week 3, though full practice participation is the likely prerequisite.

Hufanga was removed from injured reserve back on August 27 and is returning from a torn ACL that ended his 2023 campaign. The fourth-year vet is expected to be eased back into things but could still make the start on Monday night when the Niners take on the Jets. His availability will likely depend on how things go throughout the week, but a limited session out of the gate is a good sign for the 2022 First-Team All-Pro.

Hufanga progressed well in his rehab from a torn ACL suffered last season and now returns to a roster that sorely missed his services while he was out. Expect Hufanga to be eased into practice as he works his way back into game shape, likely beginning the season with a reduced snap rate. Either way, it is a big boost to San Francisco’s secondary after Hufanga earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2022.

The report comes from ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Should Hufanga’s surgically repaired knee respond well to the increased workload “over [the] next week or so,” he will then be eased into practice. Hufanga’s return would be a boon for the 49ers secondary. He earned both first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his second NFL season (2022). Among 64 NFL safeties with at least 695 coverage snaps over the last two seasons, Hufanga ranks 13th in yards allowed per coverage snap (0.42) and third in explosive pass plays allowed rate (0.6%).