The San Francisco 49ers’ talented Pro Bowl and All-Pro safety, Talanoa Hufanga, who tore his ACL in Week 11, isn’t quite ready. He started training camp on the active/PUP list and hasn’t practiced in the first few weeks of camp. It’s unclear whether he will be available for Week 1.
Ji’Ayir Brown, who filled in for Hufanga, had an impressive rookie season. He is looking to pick up where he left off. He has been incredible in training camp and is the favorite to start in his second season.
The 49ers’ depth outside Hufanga and Brown is a concern. Tashaun Gipson, a starter from 2023, remains unsigned, and the NFL suspended him for the first six games of 2024. George Odum, known for his special teams abilities, hasn’t played much on defense throughout his career, starting ten games, including seven with the Colts in 2021. Finally, Malik Mustapha their 4th-round pick, enters his rookie season and hasn’t played a snap in the NFL.
The 49ers, concerned with their safety depth, hosted three players for a workout, including one from the NFC North.
The San Francisco 49ers hosted a safety from the Detroit Lions
The 49ers hosted Tracy Walker III for a tryout on Wednesday. Walker, a 3rd-round pick from 2018, spent the first six seasons with the Lions, playing 79 games and 43 starts. The Lions benched him near the end of the season and released him in February.
He impressed the team during their workout.
Tracy Walker III found a new home
According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, the 49ers signed Walker to a contract. The contract details haven’t been announced. We will update you once we know.
The 49ers had looked at veteran safeties previously and hosted Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Blackmon in the spring. Both since signed elsewhere.
Walker’s signing is expected to be official tomorrow when the 49ers will have to make an accompanying roster move.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 8, 2024
NFL fans react to the signing
This isn’t the 49ers news that we’re waiting on
— Zak☘️ (@ZakKnowsBall68) August 8, 2024
He’s got surprisingly decent-to-good grades at PFF.
— Allan Basso (@Endzone51) August 8, 2024
Good player, just wasn’t as awesome after the Achilles and we were trying to get younger. I’m sure we were talking to him too as a possible come back scenari.
— SawySauce (@HawksandLions) August 8, 2024
Could of had Justin Simmons
— Mark Cordova (@markacordova) August 8, 2024
Sneaky good move. Nice depth piece.
— 49ER$83 (@49er_83) August 8, 2024
