SANTA CLARA — Safety Talanoa Hufanga, one game into his comeback from knee reconstruction, will not play for the 49ers today against the Patriots, but because of a different ailment.
Hufanga sustained an ankle injury in Thursday’s practice, the same one in which defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and linebacker Curtis Robinson (knee) were carted off to the locker room, although only Robinson’s turned out to be a season-ending injury.
Hufanga observed Sunday’s warmups but did not appear to test his ankle. Rookie Malik Mustapha could make his first career start unless the 49ers return George Odum to Hufanga’s spot as they did the first two games this season.
Ten months after tearing his right knee’s anterior cruciate ligament, Hufanga made his season debut last Sunday, recording seven tackles and playing 53-of-58 defensive snaps in a 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Hufanga was listed as questionable, as were the following players who will suit up: wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), left tackle Trent Williams (toe, illness), Elliott (foot) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle).
Also inactive for the 49ers are wide receiver Ronnie Bell, cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. and offensive lineman Ben Bartch, with Joshua Dobbs the No. 3 quarterback.
Receiver Chris Conley was added to the 49ers’ ever-growing injury list this morning, but he will play through an illness that is running through the locker room. Williams and wide receiver Jacob Cowing each missed a day of practice this week because of an unspecified illness.
Conley is part a full-staff receiving corps that welcomes Samuel back from a one-game absence, as well as tight end George Kittle, who missed last Sunday’s loss at Los Angeles with a Grade I hamstring strain. Also active among the 49ers wide receivers are Jauan Jennings and Jacob Cowing.
On Saturday, the 49ers moved defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps) and linebacker Curtis Robinson (knee) to Injured Reserve, and they filled one of those roster spots by promoting defensive end Sam Okuayinonu from the practice squad. Two undrafted rookies were elevated from the practice squad: safety Jaylon Mahoney and defensive tackle Evan Anderson.
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FINE TIME
The Rams got fined $100,000 in response to their sideline confronting 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk after last Sunday’s final play — a seven-lateral thriller that almost produced a miraculous touchdown. Docked over $5,600 for their involvements were Derion Kendrick and Kamren Kinchens, the latter of whom struck Aiyuk in the back of the helmet and then taunted him. No 49ers were fined either from that incident or the game.
