49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: May begin season on IR

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday that a decision will be made on whether Hufanga (knee) will begin the season on injured reserve, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Hufanga is recovering from a torn ACL he sustained in Week 11 last season. He began training camp on the active/PUP list and he has yet to participate in a practice session. If Hufanga were to be placed on injured reserve to start the regular season, he would be forced to sit out for the first four games and wouldn't be eligible to return until Week 5 against the Cardinals on Oct. 6. The 2021 fifth-round pick registered 52 tackles (39 solo) and three interceptions across 10 regular-season games in 2023.