Why isn’t Talanoa Hufanga playing for the 49ers against the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football?
It’s the big game to get Week 6 going, as the San Francisco team travel to Lumen Field in Seattle, but not everyone is available to play.
San Francisco 49ers fans are hoping to see their team go 3-3 against the Seattle Seahawks this Thursday night at Lumen Field, but they’ll have to do it without Talanoa Hufanga. Last season’s defeated Super Bowl team announced on Wednesday that Hufanga has been placed on the Injured Reserve list, sidelining him for a number of weeks.
The team’s starting safety, standing at 6 feet and 200 pounds, had recorded eight tackles this season before he tore ligaments in his wrist during Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Hufanga’s absence will undoubtedly be felt in the 49ers’ secondary, but as one door closes, another opens.
Who will replace Hufanga for the 49ers?
Rookie Malik Mustapha will step into the shoes of Hufanga and has already impressed many with his performances this year.
With Hufanga onto the IR, 49ers have promoted tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad. Willis was originally drafted by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has had his own ups and downs this season. After being released in August and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end now gets another shot at contributing to the team’s effort.
How long is Hufanga out for 49ers?
For fans wondering about Hufanga’s absence, the current expectation is that he’ll be back in business – assuming normal recovery time – within the first couple of weeks of November. Mustapha, in the meantime, will focus on making the most of his opportunity, starting tonight in Seattle.
See also: Week 6 NFL injury round-up