Talanoa Hufanga, the promising player for the 49ers, seems to be on the verge of making his return to the field. Coach Shanahan provided some insight into Hufanga’s progress, stating, “He thinks he did it when he caught the third to last play because there were only a couple of other plays that Samuel was in after that.” Shanahan praised Deebo Samuel for his recent performance, calling it one of his better games in recent memory. When asked if he agreed, Shanahan noted that Samuel had made some nice catches but performed even better last week against the New York Jets.
The 49ers are in desperate need of their key receiver, as Shanahan emphasized, stating, “More than ever, the 49ers need the receiver; they paid a whole lot of money over the next few games.” Brandon Aiyuk, another important player for the team, mentioned that he is at about 85 percent. Shanahan clarified this statement, indicating that Aiyuk was referring to his playing ability.
Regarding Hufanga’s impending return, Shanahan expressed optimism, saying, “He’s looking good. He’s had two good weeks. Had a real good week last week. Hopefully, we can get him in the game this week, and he has three real good practices.” Hufanga’s presence on the field has been sorely missed, with Shanahan acknowledging his unique awareness and feel for the game.
Additionally, the 49ers had a plan to rotate Malik Mustapapha in with George Odum this week. Mustapha ended up playing 31 snaps compared to Odum’s 23, with Shanahan clarifying that the decision was not directly related to a touchdown early in the game. It is evident that Hufanga’s return will bring a much-needed boost to the team, with his skills and presence making a significant impact on the field.