Fowler: Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) out 2-3 weeks

Moss missed Week 5 due to a rib injury but has a chance to return Thursday against the Seahawks after three straight limited practices this week. CB Patrick Surtain (ankle) and S Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) did not practice all week and were ruled out, as expected.

Moss was ruled out of Week 5 against the Chargers but has a chance to play Week 6 against the Seahawks with back-to-back limited practice listings. Meanwhile, S Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) was a DNP for the second straight day. With Patrick Surtain (ankle) still out in the short term, the Broncos’ banged-up secondary may have a tough time against Jaxon Smith-Njigba and company on Thursday.

It was an estimated session, but one that probably bodes pretty prescient since Hufanga left Week 5’s game with the ankle injury and was ruled out. Riley Moss (ribs) was listed as limited and would appear to have a chance to come back after being ruled out for Week 5.

Palmer dropped some quick-hitting notes on Monday’s camp practice, singling out Hufanga as fully healthy. Hufanga agreed to a three-year contract with the Broncos this offseason after coming off consecutive season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024, the former of which was a torn ACL and the latter being a torn ligament in his wrist. He’ll look to regain his high-level play with the Broncos after earning first-team All-Pro honors in his last fully healthy season in 2022 while with the 49ers.

The deal is worth up to $45 million. Hufanga was a rising star coming out of his second NFL season. He started all 17 games in 2022 and totaled two sacks, nine pass breakups, and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Hufanga then tore his ACL 10 games into the 2023 season. His recovery lasted into the following season and he also missed time with a wrist injury, limiting him to just seven appearances. With a clean bill of health heading into 2025, Hufanga will look to get back on track as part of a Denver defense that ranked third in points allowed last year.

Hufanga bolsters an already sharp secondary, although the absence of DE Nick Bosa could place additional strain on the second level with a lessened ability to generate organic pressure up front. Expect Hufanga to step back into his starting safety role after missing all but two games this season.

This is a brutal two-year stretch for the 2022 first-team All-Pro. Hufanga tore his ACL in 2023 and is now sidelined at least four games due to the torn wrist ligament. The 49ers’ upcoming schedule consists of capable passing offenses, featuring the Seahawks, Chiefs, Cowboys and Buccaneers.

The team is still deciding whether to place Hufanga on injured reserve — we’d bet on that happening. Hufanga injured the wrist in the second quarter of Week 5’s game against the Cardinals. Rookie Malik Mustapha picked up most of Hufanga’s snaps and is line for more work going forward.

Hufanga exited in the second quarter and went to the locker room shortly after leaving the field. The 2022 All-Pro saw his 2023 season cut short by a torn ACL and made his 2024 debut in Week 3 against the Rams. We hope this isn’t another serious setback for a player who has battled all offseason to return to the field.

Hufanga is now out with an ankle injury, one week after making his 2024 debut following his 2023 ACL reconstruction. The 49ers will fortunately have Williams (illness, toe) protecting Brock Purdy’s blindside though. Deebo Samuel Sr. is active as well. He remains a high-ceiling WR1, though the 49ers could opt to rest him late in the game if they establish a comfortable lead, as expected.