Talanoa Hufanga's rapid ascension played a key role in the 49ers' run to the NFC Championship Game last season. This year, he'll have to watch the remainder of their attempt to reach the Super Bowl from the sideline.

San Francisco got the news it feared on Monday, with head coach Kyle Shanahan confirming Hufanga tore his right anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shanahan said there was no additional damage beyond the tear and Hufanga should be ready for the 2024 season opener.

Hufanga left the game in the third quarter and was taken to the locker room on a cart after sustaining the injury while attempting to tackle Bucs running back Rachaad White.

Hufanga has three interceptions and three pass breakups in 2023 following a breakout 2022 season in which he was named first-team All-Pro.

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, forming a dynamic safety partnership with veteran Tashaun Gipson.

Now Gipson will partner rookie Ji'Ayir Brown, who stepped in for Hufanga and helped preserve the victory with a series of clutch plays to thwart Tampa Bay's attempts at a late rally.

Brown, the 49ers' top pick of the draft in the third round, registered a fourth-down pass breakup in the endzone in coverage against Mike Evans, broke up another throw into the endzone to tight end Cade Otton and then essentially clinched the game by picking off Baker Mayfield in the endzone on a tipped ball.

San Francisco faces the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksigiving night in a critical matchup in the battle for the NFC West. The 49ers (7-3) lead the Seahawks (6-4) by a game heading into Thursday's matchup in Seattle.

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