The long-awaited return of security Talanoa Hufanga Could come as early because the San Francisco 49ers Week 3 matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams. On Wednesday, the fourth-year professional practiced in full for the primary time since tearing his ACL within the second half of the 2023 season. His official return to observe got here on the finish of August, however he wasn’t given the inexperienced gentle to be full-go till days earlier than the 49ers first NFC West sport of the yr.
Hufanga suffered his harm within the third quarter of the 49ers 27-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11 and that opened the door for then rookie Ji’Ayir Brown to step into the lineup alongside former security Tashaun Gipson Sr.
Brown went on to complete that Week 11 contest with 4 tackles, an interception and three move breakups and acquired the nod to begin in 5 extra common season video games, the NFC Championship Game versus the Detroit Lions and Super Bowl LVIII towards the Kansas City Chiefs.
“It acquired Tig (Brown), loads of reps final yr,” Shanahan stated. “He needed to step in, in the course of the yr and that acquired him rather a lot higher, however clearly, you at all times miss Huf on the market. The huge play functionality, how effectively he communicates, flying sideline to sideline. We’re going to be pumped. He ought to get again this week if every little thing goes proper.
In 2022, Hufanga was considered one of six San Francisco gamers to earn First-Team All-Pros honors, and in 2023 previous to his harm, he amassed 52 whole tackles, three interceptions and three passes defended in ten begins.