2 min read • February 05, 2024
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The sole absence on the 49ers defense is third-year strong safety Talanoa Hufanga, who suffered a torn ACL in mid-November.
With Hufanga out for the regular and postseason, San Francisco’s defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has turned to rookie Ji’Ayir Brown to fill the role.
In 5 starts this season, Brown had 27 combined tackles, an interception and a pass defended.
Against the Lions in the NFC Championship, he had 10 combined tackles.
In 10 games this season, Hufanga had 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended and 52 combined tackles.
Several starters are also playing through injury for the team’s first Super Bowl since 2019.
Slot cornerback Ambry Thomas suffered a left inversion ankle sprain during the NFC Championship, but will be near full health against the Chiefs given the extra week of rest.
Defensive tackle Arik Armstead has battled a foot injury for a majority of the season, limiting him to 12 games and 5 sacks on the season.
The extra rest for the chronic issue should allow him to play more snaps in the big matchup against the Chiefs.
Midseason addition Chase Young has struggled to be effective after returning from his patella tendon rupture.
Young has 7.5 sacks on the season, although he has 2.5 sacks in his past 9 games with San Francisco.
Those minor defensive injury issues give the 49ers a SIC defense score of 88.2 with a run defense score of 89 and a pass defense score 87.3.
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