Chiefs vs. 49ers: Talanoa Hufanga enters concussion protocol

The San Francisco 49ers have lost safety Talanoa Hufanga to the concussion protocol as week 7 begins.

The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a number of injuries as their preparation for Week 7 begins and they face the task of hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. One of those injuries raises the question of whether or not second-year safety Talanoa Hufanga will be available or not when facing Patrick Mahomes and company.

The Niners have to love what they see so far from Hufanga, a fifth-round safety taken in the 2021 NFL Draft, as he emerges in his second season. The 49ers watched Jaquiski Tartt leave this offseason but Hufanga has more than made up the production there as the new full-time starter.

While Hufanga was promising in 15 games last season as a sub-package player, he’s elevated his game to unforeseen levels in 2022. So far this season, he has 2 interceptions, 1 sack, 5 tackles for loss, and 36 total tackles in 6 starts. He’s also only allowing a 37.5 passer rating when targeted.

Unfortunately, Hufanga left Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with a head injury early. He passed a quick test and came back on the field and even passed a second post-game test. However, further symptoms manifested overnight and upon returning to the team’s facilities, he was placed in the team’s concussion protocol.

At this point, there’s no way to tell if Hufanga will return in time, but with Mahomes and one of the league’s most dynamic offenses coming to town, the Niners will be hard-pressed to replace his productivity in the secondary.

If Hufanga is unable to go, Tarvarius Moore is likely the next man up. Moore was the 49ers third-round pick back in the 2018 NFL Draft and has been a spot starter since joining the team.