Former USC star Talanoa Hufanga tears ACL, is out for the season with 49ers

Hufanga’s season comes to an abrupt end in San Francisco.

The 2023 NFL season contains a lot of promise and potential for the San Francisco 49ers, widely viewed as one of the top contenders for Super Bowl LVIII in February. The Niners’ pursuit of the Vince Lombardi Trophy will continue without a USC Trojan who has become a very good NFL player.

San Francisco safety Talanoa Hufanga, an important part of the 49ers’ defense, is out for the rest of the 2023 season with a torn ACL, coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed.

Hufanga will therefore not play on Thanksgiving night against Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC West showdown.

Niners Wire has more on the story:

“Replacing Hufanga won’t be easy for San Francisco. He was a First-Team All-Pro last season and since becoming the starting strong safety in 2022 he has 148 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, seven interceptions and 12 pass breakups.

“The team will now turn to rookie third-round pick Ji’Ayir Brown. Brown filled in admirably Sunday with four tackles, two pass breakups to save touchdowns, and an interception in the red zone.”

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