Report: 49ers do not expect Talanoa Hufanga to return this season

Update: It seems all hope is not lost for Talanoa Hufanga potentially playing again this season.

San Francisco 49ers general manager told KNBR Friday that star safety will “absolutely” be back on the field at some point in the 2024 season. Additionally, running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Dre Greenlaw are expected to return at some point as well.

While there is no direct timetable for each player, at least the notion of an eventual return is music to The Faithful’s ears.

“Absolutely, very much so. We’re getting closer on all of them, they’re trending in really good directions,” Lynch said on KNBR, “That would be a boost, those are really good players.”

Original Story:

The San Francisco 49ers have been bombarded by injuries this season, now potentially adding Talanoa Hufanga to the season-ending list.

The Athletic’s Mike Silver reported Thursday that the 49ers believe the safety will not return for the 2024 season. Hufanga has been dealing with torn ligaments in his wrist since Week 5, with the initial timeline expected to be at least a month. Fast forward a few weeks, the former All-Pro is not expected to return, according to the team.

However, Silver added that Hufanga’s agent, Chris Cabott of Equity Sports, spoke to the journalist after the report. Cabott stated that Hufanga will look to return in a few weeks, hoping to play through the injury with a cast over his hand.

There is no update from the 49ers themselves on the player’s status at this time.

#49ers Talanoa Hufanga (torn wrist ligaments) will likely attempt to play with a cast on his wrist in a few weeks according to @MikeSilver pic.twitter.com/bFttzmTM06

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) October 24, 2024

Talanoa Hufanga, 25, suffered the injury in the second quarter of Week 5’s clash with the Arizona Cardinals. The Oregon native was taken off the field after allowing a broken tackle near the redzone. He would not return in the second half.

The USC product made his return to the field Week 5, missing the previous contest after rolling his ankle during practice. Prior to that, Hufanga returned from a 10-month layoff after tearing his ACL last season.

In light of Hufanga’s absence, rookie Malik Mustapha and second-year standout Ji’Ayir Brown have been holding down the 49ers’ backline.

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule:

Regular Season

• Sunday, October 27th vs. Dallas Cowboys [SNF] – 5:20 pm PDT
• Week 9 Bye Week
• Sunday, November 10th @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10 am PDT
• Sunday, November 17th vs. Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 pm PDT
• Sunday, November 24th @ Green Bay Packers – 1:25 pm PDT

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