49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Another solid year as backup
Rotowire
Okuayinonu finished the 2025 regular season with 39 tackles (23 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and a forced fumble across 15 active games.
Okuayinonu signed a one-year contract to return to the 49ers and serve as a backup edge rusher. The 27-year-old was afforded some extra run following DE Nick Bosa's severe knee injury early in the campaign. Okuayinonu finished with numbers similar to his solid run as a reserve in 2024, so it wouldn't be surprising to see San Francisco bring back the unrestricted free agent for a third season in 2026.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Logs limited practice
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (ankle) logged a limited practice Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
This marked Okuayinonu's first practice since suffering an ankle injury in San Francisco's Week 12 matchup. Though it's a positive sign, his status for Monday's game against the Colts remains unclear.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Expected back at pracitce
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (ankle) is expected to return to practice during Week 16 prep, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Okuayinonu has not practiced or played over the 49ers' last two games due to an ankle injury, but he seems to have recovered enough to be cleared to practice. His practice participation will determine whether he's ultimately given the green light to play in the 49ers' Week 16 road tilt against the Colts on Monday, Dec. 22.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Sidelined to begin week
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.
Okuayinonu suffered a serious ankle injury in Week 12 and was expected to miss multiple games. Even with the 49ers' bye week benefiting him with additional time to rest, Okuayinonu appears unlikely to suit up in Week 15 against Tennessee.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Exits game with ankle injury
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (ankle) is questionable to return to Monday's game against Carolina, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Per Barrows, Okuayinonu has been laboring through an ankle injury for most of Monday's game. With Robert Beal (concussion) inactive, Keion White and Clelin Ferrell will see more snaps at defensive end opposite Bryce Huff for as long as Okuayinonu is out of the game.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Can't practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (ankle) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Okuayinonu left Sunday's game at Houston on a cart in the fourth quarter after suffering an ankle injury, and now his status for Week 9 is in jeopardy. He'll probably have to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday to have any chance to suit up Sunday against the Giants.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Hurts ankle in Week 8
Rotowire
Okuayinonu is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup against Houston due to an ankle injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Okuayinonu was injured on a C.J. Stroud scramble early in the fourth quarter. He had to be carted off the field, so it wouldn't be surprising if he's unable to return to the game. Okuayinonu's injury is another blow to a San Francisco defensive line that is already without a bevy of players, including Nick Bosa (knee), Bryce Huff (hamstring) and Yetur Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring).
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Okuayinonu was sidelined for training camp practices due to a groin issue and was most recently working through a shoulder injury, but his full practice participation Wednesday indicates that he's on track to play Week 1 against the Seahawks on Sunday. Okuayinonu is slated to work in rotation at defensive end with Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), Nick Bosa and rookie first-rounder Mykel Williams.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (groin) participated during Tuesday's training camp practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Okuayinonu was forced to sit out for a couple weeks of training camp because of a groin issue, but he now seems to be back in football shape ahead of San Francisco's final preseason contest Saturday versus the Chargers. With regular starter Nick Bosa still limited by neck soreness, Okuayinonu currently projects as a favorite for first-team reps on the edge.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Misses practice Monday
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (groin) sat out of practice Monday, Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said the defensive end would likely miss a couple weeks with the injury, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Okuayinonu found his role as a rotational player a year ago, recording 35 tackles (25 solo), including 3.0 sacks, a pass breakup and a forced fumble, and he projects to fill a similar role in 2025.
