It’s likely Talanoa Hufanga may never play for the Niners again.
According to NFL insider Mike Silver, safety Talanoa Hufanga is unlikely to return this season, casting doubt on whether he’ll play again for San Francisco. Injuries have become a painful norm for 49ers fans, with almost every week bringing news of a player sidelined for an extended period. This year alone, setbacks have included All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who’s missed time due to Achilles issues, and the devastating loss of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to a season-ending knee injury in Week 7. Both McCaffrey and Aiyuk, however, are expected to remain key parts of the team’s future.
The situation with Hufanga appears different. While he was a 2022 All-Pro, his long-term outlook with the team has become increasingly uncertain. Silver’s report suggests Hufanga may have already played his final game in a 49ers jersey.
San Francisco’s decision to draft safety Malik Mustapha in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, along with second-year pro Ji’Ayir Brown—who stepped up when Hufanga tore his ACL in 2023—suggests the team has its future safety pairing for 2025 in mind.
Adding to the complexity, Hufanga will become a free agent next year. After missing the first two weeks of the 2024 season due to his ACL recovery, Hufanga returned briefly before a wrist injury in Week 5 against the Rams placed him on injured reserve. Silver reports that this injury is expected to end his season.
Hufanga, a late-round draft gem for the 49ers, was a fan favorite. Despite his impact, it seems the franchise may already be pivoting away from him as it deals with a brutal season of injuries while pushing for a Super Bowl return. If Silver’s insights hold true, the next time Hufanga takes the field, it may well be in another uniform.
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