The 49ers suffered a setback in their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga was ruled out for the remainder of the game due to a knee injury. The injury occurred when Hufanga attempted to tackle Buccaneers running back Rachaad White and then fell to the ground.
Hufanga was then evaluated in the medical tent and ultimately had to be carted off to the 49ers’ locker room. Coach Kyle Shanahan shared concerns about the injury, indicating that it is likely an ACL issue. This is a significant loss for the 49ers, as Hufanga has been a key member of their defense since the 2022 NFL season.
In Hufanga’s absence, rookie safety Ji’Ayir Brown is expected to take on a more significant role. Brown was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and will now have an opportunity to contribute to the team’s defense.