49ers safety Hufanga inactive vs. Patriots with ankle injury

SANTA CLARA — Rookie Malik Mustapha appears to be in line for his first NFL start on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers announced safety Talanoa Hufanga as one of the team's inactive players for their Week 4 game against the New England Patriots. Hufanga rolled his ankle during practice on Thursday and was listed as questionable on the team's official injury report. 49ers inactive for Week 4 game vs. Patriots:S Talanoa Hufanga (ankle)WR Ronnie BellCB Darrell LuterOL Ben BartchQB Joshua Dobbs (third QB)Look for rookie S Malik Mustapha to get his first NFL start in place of Hufanga.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 29, 2024 Patriots inactives. pic.twitter.com/jI2CBNiaRi— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 29, 2024 Mustapha, a fourth-round draft pick from Wake Forest, has appeared to work his way into the role of the team's No. 3 safety. The 49ers on Saturday elevated rookie safety Jaylen Mahoney from the practice squad to be available to make his NFL debut as a backup and special-teams player against the Patriots. Each of the 49ers' other players listed as questionable have been cleared to play: receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), left tackle Trent Williams (toe),...