In TEARS 😭…49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga to miss rest of season with ACL tear: Who steps up?

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San Francisco 49ers defensive back Talanoa Hufanga tore his ACL in the team’s 27-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

Hufanga suffered “a clean tear” and did not tear his meniscus, Shanahan said.

The third-year pro left Sunday’s game with the injury and had one tackle before exiting.

Hufanga, who was a first-team All-Pro last year, has recorded 52 tackles and three interceptions in 10 games this season.

Who steps up?

Hufanga’s clean ACL tear does create a recovery timetable that has the safety returning in time for the 2024 season opener. The 49ers will turn to rookie Ji’Ayir Brown to start in Hufanga’s place. Brown delivered in replacement duty after Hufanga went down late in the third quarter against the Buccaneers.