49ers' George Odum: Placed on IR due to knee injury
Rotowire
The 49ers placed Odum (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Odum popped up on Thursday's injury report due to a knee injury, and it appears serious enough to warrant a multi-game absence. He'll be required to miss at least the next four regular-season games, making Week 18 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 5 the earliest he could return. Tashaun Gipson and Malik Mustapha will serve as the 49ers' backup safeties behind Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) due to Odum's injury.
Odum (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Odum logged a DNP at Thursday's practice after not being listed on the 49ers' injury report Wednesday, so he likely sustained a knee injury during practice. The 31-year-old has recorded 16 total tackles and four passes defended in 12 appearances this season. With Odum sidelined for the first time this season, expect Tashaun Gipson to serve as San Francisco's top backup safety.
David Lombardi of The Athletic relays that Odum's performance in training camp is earning him a bigger role in the 49ers' defense, and the 30-year-old is currently listed as the starting strong safety on San Francisco's depth chart.
Since joining San Francisco in 2022, Odum has been used primarily on special teams, playing just 37 snaps on defense in each of the last two regular seasons. However, with strong safety Talanoa Hufanga still recovering from a torn ACL and not expected to be back until mid-August, Odum has taken advantage of his increased reps with the first-team defense, recording a handful of interceptions in training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wants to Odum on the field more, noting last week that "we're going to try and find a way to put [Odum] on both [defense and special teams]."
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Signing extension
Rotowire
Odum is set to sign a two-year contract extension, which could be worth up to $10 million, with the 49ers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Odum had one year left on his three-year contract signed in 2022, but he'll now be slated to stay in San Fransisco for at least the next three seasons. The 30-year-old has been a standout on special teams, earning All-Pro honors in 2020, and should continue in that role in 2024.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Activated from IR
Rotowire
The 49ers activated Odum (biceps) from injured reserve Saturday and he's set to play in the team's NFC divisional-round game against the Packers, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Odum was a full participant in Wednesday's and Thursday's practice sessions. He is set to potentially take the field for the first time since Week 12 against the Seahawks, when he sustained a torn biceps injury. Odum figures to slot back into his reserve free safety role behind starter Tashaun Gipson.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Set to be activated Friday
Rotowire
Odum (biceps) is expected to be activated from injured reserve Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Odum was designated to return from IR on Jan. 10 and he has logged full practices each of the last two days, setting him up to return for Saturday's matchup with the Packers in the divisional round. The 30-year-old will likely be back in his role as the primary reserve option behind Tashaun Gipson at free safety versus Green Bay.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Practice window officially opens
Rotowire
The 49ers designated Odum (biceps) to return from injured reserve Wednesday.
Odum landed on IR at the end of November after tearing his biceps Week 12 against Seattle. With San Francisco holding the NFC's No. 1 seed and thus a bye this week, the veteran safety will work to return in time for next weekend's divisional round. Odum spent most of his time on special teams prior to getting hurt and would presumably return to the same role if he's able to make it back on the field for the playoffs, though his work on defense could grow if Ji'Ayir Brown (knee) and/or Tashaun Gipson (quad) end up missing extended time.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Set to return from IR
Rotowire
Odum (biceps) is expected to be designated to return from injured reserve by the 49ers this week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Odum has been out since suffering a torn biceps in late November, but he will now have a 21-day window to return to practice and ultimately be added to the team's active roster. If the safety isn't able to be activated, he'll remain on the team's IR through the postseason.
The 49ers placed Odum (biceps) on their injured reserve list Monday.
As expected, Odum will have to miss at least San Francisco's next four games and probably more as he recovers from a torn biceps he sustained Thursday at Seattle. In a corresponding move, rookie fifth-round defensive lineman Robert Beal was activated from the injured reserve list.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Out 2-4 months with torn biceps
Rotowire
Odum suffered a torn biceps in Thursday's 31-13 win over the Seahawks and is expected to face a recovery timeline of two-to-four months, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The extent of Odum's injury was confirmed by an MRI on Friday after he exited Thursday's win. Odum has an outside chance to return during the postseason, but the standout special teams contributor is expected to miss at least the remainder of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Ruled out during game
Rotowire
Odum (biceps) will not return to Thursday's contest against the Seahawks.
The special-teams player's absence will leave the defense vulnerably thin at safety. Expect more information regarding his status to emerge in short order.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Practices Thursday
Rotowire
Odum (quadricep) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
The special teamer left Sunday's game against the Browns with the injury. Odum played in the previous five games and made eight tackles over that span.
... See More... See Less
49ers' George Odum: Questionable to return
Rotowire
Odum is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Browns due to a thigh injury, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Odum didn't record any counting stats before suffering the injury. He's played primarily on special teams to start the season, so his absence shouldn't have an impact on San Francisco's secondary.
