The first El Clasico of 2016-17 will not be shown live on British TV
Polish Women’s Volleyball champions Chemik Police beat BKS Bielsko-Biała 3-1
Lewis Hamilton: Nico Rosberg says debate over rival's tactics is 'pointless'
The first El Clasico of 2016-17 will not be shown live on British TV
Polish Women’s Volleyball champions Chemik Police beat BKS Bielsko-Biała 3-1
Lewis Hamilton: Nico Rosberg says debate over rival's tactics is 'pointless'
Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Tests confirmed that San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday.
Shanahan had indicated Sunday after the Niners’ 27-14 win that the organization was bracing for an ACL injury that could mean the end of Hufanga’s season.
With 8:40 left in the third quarter, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield dumped a pass off in the right flat to running back Rachaad White. As White worked upfield, Hufanga closed in to attempt the tackle but bit on an inside fake from White, who ran past him for an 11-yard gain. Hufanga planted his right leg into the ground, and when he attempted to turn with White’s cut, his right knee appeared to buckle.
Hufanga was slow to get up after the play and went straight to the blue medical tent on the sideline. After he spent a few minutes in the tent, a cart came out and took Hufanga to the locker room. He was ruled out almost immediately.
Rookie Ji’Ayir Brown, a third-round pick out of Penn State, replaced Hufanga at strong safety. After some initial struggles, including allowing a long completion that led to Tampa Bay’s second touchdown, Brown came through with a fourth-down pass breakup and an interception, both in San Francisco’s end zone, that helped preserve the victory.
“Praying for Huf, hopefully it’s nothing serious,” running back Christian McCaffrey said Sunday. “Ji’Ayir did a great job stepping up. I think that’s a testament to him and his character and being prepared. It’s also a testament to Huf and the leadership that he’s shown getting him ready to go.”
If Hufanga does miss an extended period, it would be Brown who would step into the starting lineup in his place. Hufanga was a first-team All-Pro in 2022 and is fourth on the team in tackles (51) and tied for first in interceptions (3) this season.
Brown had mostly been limited to a special teams role before Sunday but finished with four tackles, three passes defended and his first career interception against the Bucs.
