49ers' reunion with familiar face offers hint about Talanoa Hufanga's hopes of returning in 2024
The San Francisco 49ers were presented with an opportunity to fortify their depth at safety when their former starter Tashaun Gipson was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday. They have moved quickly to snap up that chance, signing him to their practice squad, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. In a corresponding move, they released kicker […]
The San Francisco 49ers were presented with an opportunity to fortify their depth at safety when their former starter Tashaun Gipson was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday.
They have moved quickly to snap up that chance, signing him to their practice squad, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. In a corresponding move, they released kicker Anders Carlson from the practice squad while also waiving linebacker Jalen Graham following the 49ers' trade for defensive tackle Khalil Davis.
Gipson spent both the 2022 and 2023 seasons with San Francisco, starting for the 49ers in the Super Bowl in February having also played a key role in their run to the NFC Championship Game the previous year.
The 49ers did not re-sign him this offseason after his contract expired, the Jaguars instead taking him back to Jacksonville in August despite Gipson being suspended for the first six games of the season for a violation of the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
But Gipson was let go without an appearance to his name in his second stint with Jacksonville, freeing the 34-year-old up to provide veteran insurance at safety for the Niners.
Ji'Ayir Brown and rookie Malik Mustapha are locked in as starters for now, the latter having impressed since taking over for former All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga, who is on injured reserve with torn ligaments in his wrist.
Hufanga hopes to return and play with a cast, while the 49ers also have veteran special teamer George Odum on the active roster. Odum has started two games on defense this season.
San Francisco has twice activated rookie Jaylen Mahoney from the practice squad and last month signed Adrian Amos to the practice squad.
Gipson gives the 49ers another safety who is vastly familiar with the defense and could step in and start on short notice if needed. His return is a positive step in terms of San Francisco's depth at safety, but it also could be an indication that Hufanga's hopes of a 2024 return are a pipe dream.
