49ers' Talanoa Hufanga likely has ACL injury

The San Francisco 49ers are preparing themselves for the worst with Talanoa Hufanga. San Francisco's All-Pro safety left their 27-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a non-contact knee injury in the third quarter and was taken to the locker room on a cart. Afterwards, Kyle Shanahan confirmed the Niners believe Hufanga injured his […]

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Sep 10, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium.
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The San Francisco 49ers are preparing themselves for the worst with Talanoa Hufanga.

San Francisco's All-Pro safety left their 27-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a non-contact knee injury in the third quarter and was taken to the locker room on a cart.

Afterwards, Kyle Shanahan confirmed the Niners believe Hufanga injured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Asked for his concern level, the 49ers head coach said:

"Real concerned. We don't know for sure, most likely it's ACL but can't confirm it so we'll find out later."

Hufanga sustained the injury on a play that saw Bucs running back Rachaad White make him miss on a reception out of the backfield.

He has three interceptions and three pass breakups in 2023 following a breakout 2022 season.

The 2021 fifth-round pick had four interceptions, nine pass breakups, two sacks, five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in his second season and was named first-team All-Pro.

Rookie third-round pick Ji'Ayir Brown replaced him in the lineup and made a huge impact, registering a fourth-down pass breakup in the endzone in coverage against Mike Evans and recording an endzone interception that essentially sealed the game as the 49ers held off a spirited Bucs team.