An All-Pro Safety Returns for SF

For the first time this season, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan reported some good news during his press conference. Through two games the 49ers have been one of the most injured teams in all of football, this time they get a guy back who hasn't played since November of 2023. 

On Wednesday Shanahan announced that first team all pro safety Talanoa Hufanga is set to make his return on Sunday against the LA Rams. Hufanga was a first team all pro safety in 2022, in just his second year.

Hufanga was a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft coming out of USC. Hufanga jumped off the screen as a fast and physical safety. Many compared him to Steelers legend Troy Polamalu for multiple reasons, one being the hair. 

Hufanga did not see much action during his rookie year, as the 49ers had two veteran safeties starting over him in Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt. Hufanga’s highlight play from his rookie year was a special team's touchdown during a playoff game in Green Bay against the Packers. That touchdown sent the 49ers to the NFC Championship, in which they lost. 

At the start of the 2022 season the 49ers let go of veteran safety Jaquiski Tartt, leaving a spot for the young safety to start. Hufanga broke out onto the scene during his second year. He recorded 97 tackles and 4 interceptions. You couldn’t watch a 49ers game without seeing the long-haired safety wrecking the game. 

Hufanga played a big part in the 49ers #1 ranked defense in all of football that year. He was not only a pro bowler that year, but he also earned first team all pro honors, being named the best safety in all of football. 

In 2023 Hufanga was off to another hot start through nine games, recording 52 tackles and 3 interceptions, he looked to be even better than he did in 2022. In week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Hufanga tore his ACL, making him miss the rest of the 2023 season. The 49ers defense struggled without their hard-hitting safety, as their run defense dropped to middle of the pack without him.

Since Hufanga's ACL tear, he has recovered very well according to team doctors. The team expects him to suit up in a must win divisional game against the LA Rams this Sunday. The 49ers need Hufanga right now, as their starting safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum have struggled this year. They both were responsible for a 97-yard touchdown the 49ers gave up against the Vikings this past week. 

The 49ers defense could not be more excited to get one of their many superstars back. This is a must win game against their rival LA Rams. Hufanga will try to pick off Matt Stafford to begin his 2024 campaign and get the 49ers to 2-1 on the season.