NFL Rumors: San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Feared to Have Suffered Major Injury

The San Francisco 49ers are bracing themselves for the worst. Following his team's 27-14 trouncing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier today, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that 2022 first-team All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga "most likely" tore his ACL and will undergo further testing to confirm the severity of the injury.

49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan told reporters that safety Talanoa Hufanga “most likely” tore his ACL. There will be further testing to confirm their belief.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2023

Hufanga built on his breakout sophomore season with yet another impressive campaign this year, nabbing three interceptions while allowing a stifling 58.3 passer rating on throws in his direction through his first nine starts. Should his injury be as serious as feared, he'll miss the remainder of the season.

Hufanga's absence will be a devastating blow for a San Francisco 49ers team hoping to make s a significant playoff push. The Pro Bowler has been a leader and star on a defense that had been allowing an NFL-best 15.9 points per game through the first ten weeks of the season. Hufanga is an ascendent player and was well on his way toward earning more All-Pro recognition, but now the 49ers will be forced to lean more heavily on veteran safeties Tashaun Gipson and George Odum.

Assuming Hufanga's ACL is indeed torn, he'll be up against the clock to get healthy in time for a crucial 2024 season, which will be the final year of his rookie contract. Hopefully, he'll recover in time to put together another dominant season and earn himself a significant deal in free agency.