The San Francisco 49ers appear to have found a solution to their safety depth issues, with optimism surrounding Talanoa Hufanga’s recovery from an ACL tear suffered in Week 11 of the previous season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence on Tuesday that the team anticipates Hufanga’s return as the starting strong safety during training camp.
This development marks a significant breakthrough for the 49ers, shifting their focus in free agency from seeking a starting safety to acquiring depth options. With Hufanga on track for a return before Week 1, uncertainties surrounding the secondary’s back end are alleviated.
Although San Francisco aims to add experienced depth behind Hufanga to prepare for any setbacks or potential delays in his recovery, they may also explore drafting a player to groom as a long-term asset, given Hufanga’s impending free agency after the upcoming season.
This positive news bodes well for Hufanga, who not only strengthens the 49ers’ secondary but also enters his first free agency with a full season of experience. Selected in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, Hufanga earned First-Team All-Pro honors in his debut season as a starter in 2022 and was enjoying a strong performance in 2023 before his injury.
Having started 30 of his 42 games for the 49ers, including 27 consecutive starts before his injury, Hufanga has showcased his versatility with 181 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, seven interceptions, and 14 pass breakups.
