49ers bring back Tashaun Gipson with Talanoa Hufanga iffy to return this season

Tashaun Gipson, the San Francisco 49ers' starting free safety for the previous two seasons, rejoined the team Tuesday by signing with their practice squad.

Gipson, 34, signed with the Jaguars in August and served a six-game suspension to open the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. He was released Monday without playing a game for Jacksonville this season.

The 49ers added Gipson with safety Talanoa Hufanga on injured reserve after suffering torn ligaments in his wrist during a loss to the Cardinals on Oct. 6. Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently said that it wasn't clear if Hufanga could return this season.

"I know he's trying to come back this season," Shanahan said on Oct. 25. "That's what his plan is - that's his hope. And I know he's got a few more weeks, at least, on IR. And we're going to see how he feels after that and whether he can pull it off or not."

Rookie Malik Mustapha, 22, a fourth-round pick, has assumed Hufanga's spot and played alongside Ji'Ayir Brown, a 2023 third-round pick.

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Gipson, a 13-year veteran, ranks third among active players with 33 career interceptions, trailing only Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (35) and Vikings safety Harrison Smith (35). At 34, he is the second-oldest player on the 49ers' 53-man roster and practice squad, trailing only left tackle Trent Williams, 36.

Transactions: The 49ers waived kicker Anders Carlson from their practice squad, a likely signal that Jake Moody will play Sunday against the Buccaneers after missing the previous three games with a high ankle sprain.

Moody said Monday that he was close to returning and was kicking regular footballs and using Nerf footballs earlier in his rehab.

In another roster move, the 49ers waived linebacker Jalen Graham, who played in two games after he was signed off the Commanders practice squad on Oct. 1. The 49ers parted with Graham to make room on the roster for defensive tackle Khalil Davis, who was acquired in a trade with the Texans on Tuesday.