The one thing the San Francisco 49ers almost certainly did not need more of was yet another injury related absence, but it seems as if Talanoa Hufanga’s recent woes may give them even more to think about.
The San Francisco 49ers Cannot Catch An Injury Break
So far in 2024, the reigning NFC Champions have already lost 7 potential starters in star running back, Christian McCaffrey; All-Pro defensive tackle, Javon Hargrave; linebacker, Dre Greenlaw; defensive end, Drake Jackson; offensive lineman, Jon Feliciano; cornerback, Ambry Thomas; and rookie wide receiver, Ricky Pearsall, to severe injuries, many of them season ending.
And this list does not even include rotational defensive lineman, Yetur Gross Matos; or McCaffrey’s tailback deputy, Elijah Mitchell.
Unsurprisingly, the Niners’ disappointing record reflects this difficult injury stretch, with the once dominant NFC West side posting a meagre 2-3, having suffered losses against the Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams over the past month.
Now, instead of some positive news finally emerging from Santa Clara, it seems like the injury bug has continued to tear across Northern California, per Eric Branch.
Talanoa Hufanga To Miss The Next Month With A Torn Wrist Ligament
Alongside San Francisco’s ever-mounting injury woes, Hufanga himself has had somewhat wretched injury luck.
After bursting onto the scene in his sophomore season after being drafted in the 5th round by the 49ers in 2021, attaining 1st Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in the process, Talanoa Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in November 2023 which ended his season.
Having initially made his return to the team in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams, recording 7 tackles, Hufanga was inactive the following week against the Patriots due to an ankle injury. The former USC standout made it back to the team in the loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, before suffering a torn ligament in his wrist in the first half of the game.
At this point it feels like what’s one more injury to the 49ers, who are already up against it in trying to secure their 3rd consecutive NFC West title.
The only good news is that, ironically, with Hufanga having been out for such an extended period of time last season, the 49ers know how to play and win both with and without him, with second year safety, Ji’Ayir Brown, performing admirably in his place. Although, now it seems like even Brown may not be able to suit up in time for Thursday’s bout in Seattle.
