John Lynch, DeMeco Ryans praise 49ers safeties Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson

Jimmie Ward returned to practice this week and could be activated off the injured reserve list before Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson have been playing well in his absence. Ward joked that maybe the Niners didn't even need him.

"I'm very eager [to play], but I don't think the defense needs me right now," Ward said with a smile on his face.

General manager John Lynch, a former safety himself, joined KNBR on Thursday and was asked about the play of his two safeties.

"[Hufanga] stands out, the way he's playing," Lynch told Tom Tolbert and Adam Copeland. "It's so fun to watch a guy who has tremendous football instincts. But when you can start trusting those [instincts], and they start showing on the field, that's when you're really in a groove. And Huf ... he's certainly in that groove right now."

Lynch notes that he does not doubt that Hufanga is learning from the 49ers' other starting safety—Tashaun Gipson. That has led to some fast development for the promising second-year safety.

"Tashaun has played a lot of football, and he's done it at a high level," Lynch said. "And when Jimmie went down, that's what we were looking for—a veteran presence back there."

When asked why Gipson, who has made his own impact this season, was still available, Lynch said it was because of stupidity on the part of the NFL teams that didn't sign him. That includes the 49ers, who did not sign Gipson until August 22.

"We had no idea he'd still be able to play at this level," Lynch said. "He's been really good."

Lynch isn't concerned about having too much safety talent when Ward returns. The players have a lot of versatility, and defensive coordinator Demeco Ryans will find a way to utilize them all.

"DeMeco's really creative with his staff, and it's a good issue to have," Lynch added.

After Thursday's practice, Ryans confirmed that he's excited to figure out how to involve his talented safeties. Of course, that will all depend on the game plan from week to week.

"However we can see fit to make it work with all the guys we have, we'll make it work," Ryans said.

What did Ryans think about Hufanga's pick-six on Monday night against Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, sealing the 49ers win?

"It's a huge play, and it's a credit to him," Ryans responded. "As I talk every week about Huf, and the questions that come up about him, it's always about the preparation throughout the week. And that's where he sets himself apart. ... You see it right there on that particular play. He's able to not just be a robot out there. We want our guys to be football players, and instinctually, when you're able to see something and trigger on it, that's what makes you a special player."

Ryans believes Hufanga is one of the best safeties in the league right now. He added, "[It's] because of his instincts, and he's not scared to go make a play when it calls for him to go make a play."

You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.