49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Records pick in season opener
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Hufanga notched five solo tackles, an interception and a pass defended in a 30-7 win over the Steelers on Sunday.
Hufanga's pick came early in the fourth quarter and ultimately led to the game's final score, a field goal that made it 30-7. Next up for the USC product and San Francisco is the Rams on Sunday.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Dealing with personal matter
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Hufanga, who has also been dealing with a knee injury, did not practice Thursday due to a personal matter, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The update does little to provide any clarity regarding Hufanga's status for Sunday's game at Pittsburgh, which is up in the air. Whether or not he's able to practice in full Friday should help provide a clearer picture of his Week 1 health.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Back practicing
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Hufanga (knee) was a full participant at practice Monday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
The third-year safety had been working through a cyst in his knee, but it looks like he should be ready to go for the Week 1 matchup against the Steelers. After notching 97 tackles in 2022, Hufanga will be relied on as a key contributor on a defense once again projected to be among the league's top all-around units.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Dealing with knee injury
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San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday that Hufanga has a Baker's cyst in his knee but is expected to be available again in the coming days, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports.
Hufanga also underwent PRP treatment on his knee, according to Shanahan, and this should help expedite his recovery from the issue. The third-year safety grew into a major role for the 49ers last season, logging 97 tackles, two sacks, nine passes defended and four interceptions over 17 games. Hufanga will serve as an important playmaker on the back end of San Francisco's defense this coming season.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Breakout year at safety
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Hufanga finished the 2022 season with 97 tackles (66 solo), four interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles across 17 regular-season games.
Hufanga also scored a touchdown on one of his interceptions, rounding out a breakout year at safety. The 2021 fifth-round pick remains on his rookie contract through the 2024 season, but he will likely command some sort of extension before then if he can reproduce the results we saw this year. Hufanga will begin next season as the 49ers' starting strong safety, putting him in position to post strong IDP numbers.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Nine stops in Week 17
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Hufanga notched nine tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 37-34 win over the Raiders.
Hufanga's nine tackles were good for second on the team behind Fred Warner and tied his second-highest mark of the season. In his first full season as a starter, the second-year safety has totaled 93 stops, nine pass defenses, four interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Listed as questionable for Sunday
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Hufanga (concussion) is considered questionable for Sunday's game against Kansas City, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Hufanga entered concussion protocol Monday after taking a hit to the head in a Week 6 loss against Atlanta. He missed the first two practices this week but was able to return in a limited fashion Friday. Should Hufanga not be able to clear the protocol, Tarvarius Moore could be in line to replace him in the lineup.
Initially cleared to return after suffering a blow to the head during Sunday's loss at Atlanta, Hufanga entered concussion protocol Monday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Per coach Kyle Shanahan, Hufanga did not display concussion symptoms until entering the 49ers' facilities Monday. If the sophomore safety is forced to miss Week 7 versus Kansas City, George Odum would likely be in line for the majority of the fill-in reps.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: First sack of 2022
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Hufanga recorded five tackles (two solo), one sack and one pass breakup during Sunday's 37-15 win over the Panthers.
Hufanga's totaled 30 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups through his five contests of 2022. This is already a drastic increase from his 2021 campaign, where he compiled 32 tackles, zero interceptions and two pass breakups through 15 games. The 22-year-old is on pace for 100 plus tackles this season if he remains healthy.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Competing for starting safety job
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Hufanga is one of several options who could start at strong safety alongside 49ers' veteran free safety, Jimmie Ward, this season.
The hard-hitting Hufanga impressed the coaching staff with his physical style of play last year, posting 32 tackles primarily as a special-teams contributor. The 2021 fifth-round pick isn't the best coverage safety at this point of his career, so he will likely come off the field in some situations even if he wins the job. From an IDP standpoint, Hufanga would have to be an every-down starter to gain serious IDP consideration this season.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Considered questionable
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Hufanga (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's wild-card matchup with the Cowboys.
Hufanga was a limited participant at practice all week and is looking like a true game-time decision. Jarrod Wilson would be the only depth available at safety should Hufanga ultimately be unable to go.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Should return Sunday
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Hufanga (knee) logged a full practice Friday and has no injury designation for Sunday against the Rams, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Hufanga hasn't played since Week 15 against the Falcons when he suffered the injury. His return Sunday against the Rams would be a huge boost to the depth of the 49ers' secondary, especially if Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) is unable to play.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Ruled out for Thursday night
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Hufanga (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday night's contest against the Titans, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Hufanga suffered a knee sprain during Sunday's win over Atlanta and won't be available for Thursday Night Football after the quick turnaround. The 49ers currently only have two safeties -- Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward -- healthy for their matchup with the Titans.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Ruled out Sunday
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Hufanga (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Falcons, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
The loss of Hufanga will hurt the 49ers' depth on defense, which probably means Jarrod Wilson will see most of Hufanga's snaps. The extent of the injury has not been revealed, and it remains to be seen whether the former USC standout will recover in time to face the Titans on Dec. 23.
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49ers' Talanoa Hufanga: Expected to draw start
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Hufanga is expected to start at strong safety in place off Jaquiski Tartt (knee) on Sunday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Tartt was placed on injured reserve Saturday, so Hufanga will likely draw starts at strong safety during his absence. The 22-year-old played a season-high 31 snaps against the Colts in Week 7 and registered two tackles. The rookie will get his first extended work of his NFL career Sunday.
