Sometimes, a team can really benefit from the questionable decisions of another.
That's been the case for the Denver Broncos with Talanoa Hufanga, the star safety who was released by the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason.
Hufanga has been his usual playmaking self this season for Denver, while the 49ers surely miss him.
MORE: How Bo Nix's college journey set him up for Broncos success
Who is No. 9 on the Denver Broncos?
Talanoa Hufanga broke out a new jersey number, No. 9, this season.
Hufanga was originally a fifth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft out of USC.
Now 26 years old, this is first season away from the 'Niners.
He was a superstar in the 2022 season when he was named an All-Pro. He had 97 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 2.0 sacks.
Injuries have limited him to a combined 17 games across the past two seasons.
The Broncos signed him in free agency hoping for a bounce back after the 49ers decided his injury woes weren't worth his contract value.
Through five weeks, Hufanga has stayed healthy, knock on wood. He has 35 tackles, three passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Where is Talanoa Hufanga from? Explaining his connection to Troy Polamalu
Talanoa Hufanga is of Tongan descent, the Polynesian country of Tonga.
He has spent time training with Troy Polamalu, who is American Samoan and also played at USC.
Hufanga is the cousin of Chiefs defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu and Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu.
He was born in Corvallis, Oregon, where he was a safety, wide receiver and quarterback before going to USC.
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