The San Francisco 49ers had hoped to have All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga back for Week 1 of the regular season.

But it looks set to be at least another week before Hufanga will be able to make his long-awaited return from the torn ACL he suffered in November.

Hufanga, who had previously stated his aim was to be ready in time for Week 1, was listed as doubtful for the 49ers' primetime season opener with the New York Jets on Monday.

His likely absence will mean either George Odum or rookie Malik Mustapha will start at safety next to Ji'Ayir Brown, with Tracy Walker III a leading candidate to be elevated from the practice squad to give the Niners added veteran insurance at the position.

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"I don't think it's necessarily too soon," head coach Kyle Shanahan said in his final pre-game press conference on Saturday when asked about Hufanga. 

"I think he's looked great. So we're just trying to be as safe as we can be with him. Be smart with him. 

"We haven't ruled him out, you know, just in case of an emergency or anything, which means that if we needed to, he would be available. But we're just trying to play it smart with him."

49ers Injury Report vs. Jets

In addition to Hufanga being set to miss out, the 49ers will also be minus defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, who sprained his knee in the preseason finale. Sam Okuayinonu, Jonathan Garvin and Alex Barrett are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad with Gross-Matos out.

If the 49ers had planned on playing Dee Winters at SAM linebacker, they will have to wait another week to do so after he was ruled out with an ankle issue.

Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey is officially listed as questionable with a calf/Achilles injury. However, McCaffrey, Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have all made it clear the star running back will play. Left guard Aarn Banks is also questionable.

49ers coach highlights what is so impressive about winner of their most important position battle

He’s set to have a big role.