Hufanga overcomes injury hurdle and is close to returning to training with the 49ers

Hufanga overcomes injury hurdle and is close to returning to 49ers practice. Originally published on NBC Sports Bay Area

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SANTA CLARA – Nine months after suffering a serious knee injury, 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga took the next steps in his recovery.

Hufanga saw a specialist in Southern California on Thursday and the report was encouraging, said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.

“It was good,” Shanahan said. “They cleared him for the next steps, which means we can go a little harder, not on players, but more football stuff, dynamic cuts and everything.

“Hopefully he has a really good week and we can talk about slowly introducing him back into training.”

Shanahan said if Hufanga continues to make progress, the team can slowly introduce him to training.

Hufanga was on the field as a dedicated spectator on Friday and chatted with his teammates and coaches during the 1 hour and 45 minute training session.

In his only full season as a starter in 2022, Hufanga made four interceptions, including one return for a touchdown, and was selected to the AP All-Pro first team.

Hufanga tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 19.

Hufanga said his goal during the offseason was to do his physical therapy at a deliberate pace to avoid setbacks and be ready for the start of the regular season.

The 49ers open the season on Monday, September 9, against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium.

While Hufanga remains on the list of players physically unable to perform, the 49ers have added safeties Ji'Ayir Brown and George Odum to the first team of defense.

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