The San Francisco 49ers know exactly who they'll have to account for in the Denver Broncos' secondary in Week 4, because they used to line up next to him. Safety Talanoa Hufanga has been a menace so far in 2026, and his former San Francisco teammates had nothing but praise for the former defensive star.
"Playing with Huf when I got here and just watching how his career has unfolded, it's no shock, man," running back Christian McCaffrey said recently. "He's what I call a 'football player,' which I think is one of the best compliments you can give somebody. Obviously, he's got all the skills. But his knack for the ball; his understanding of the game; he's a hell of a competitor and definitely somebody you've got to be alert for at all times."
Hufanga
gave San Francisco plenty of reason to stay alert on Sunday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. He recorded five tackles and a sack, and he added two game-changing interceptions. He returned one for a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter, then sealed the Broncos' win in the final seconds with the other.
49ers linebacker Fred Warner has watched that kind of playmaking up close.
"His playmaking ability — and obviously in the biggest way ever last weekend... and the plays that he made to help them win that game," Warner said. "He's just like a Tasmanian devil out there, right? Just out there, trying to make plays and play fast, play physical, instinctive. Probably one of the best instinctive players I've ever seen in my life."
Hufanga started his career in San Francisco, which drafted him in the fifth round (180th overall) out of USC in 2021. He played 49 games with 37 starts over four seasons with the 49ers. His 2022 breakout included four interceptions, 97 tackles and a Pro Bowl nod, and he earned first-team All-Pro honors that year. He played in 10 games in 2023 and seven in 2024.
Denver signed him on March 10, 2025, to a three-year, $45 million contract with $20 million guaranteed. He delivered right away, posting 106 tackles and 11 pass breakups on his way to second-team All-Pro honors. Through three games in 2026, he has 17 tackles, two interceptions and a sack.
Now the 49ers have to scheme against a player whose instincts they know better than most. Hufanga makes his living off the ball, and his former teammates are well aware of it.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers preparing to face 'Tasmanian devil' ex-teammate in Week 4
