2 weeks Ago By David Bonilla, 49ers Webzone
San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga is poised to make his season debut on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. Returning from an ACL injury suffered in November 2023, the All-Pro has fully participated in practice this week and is preparing to rejoin his teammates on the field. Earlier this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed his expectation that Hufanga would play against the Rams.
On Thursday, Shanahan reiterated his confidence during an interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "Yeah, that is the expectation," Shanahan said. "He's had a really good week of practice.
Expect him to be out there. I know he's been itching to get back." Last season, Hufanga recorded 52 tackles, one tackle for a loss, three interceptions, and three passes defensed before his injury.
He was coming off a standout All-Pro and Pro Bowl 2022 campaign, with high expectations for himself and his team. The 49ers reached the Super Bowl but fell just short of a championship, and Hufanga had to watch everything from the sidelines. On Sunday against the Vikings, Hufanga made sure to remind his coach just how eager he is to return.
"I remember seeing him on the sidelines versus Minnesota," Shanahan shared. "He came up to me, he's like, 'This is the last one. This is the last one I can handle.
I can't wait to be back next week.' He's had a great week of practice, and expecting to see him flying around out there on Sunday." This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.
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