Okuayinonu broke his foot in practice last week and is set to have surgery to repair the issue, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday he hopes Okuayinonu can return near the end of the regular season, but it is unclear quite how long the recovery process will take. Okuayinonu previously had a plate in his foot, and the break occurred when it was stepped on during practice.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Lands on injured reserve
Rotowire
The 49ers placed Okuayinonu (foot) on injured reserve Friday.
Okuayinonu was already ruled out for Week 1 against the Rams due to a foot injury, which is severe enough for him to go on injured reserve. That means he'll be required to miss at least four games (barring an injury settlement), so the earliest Okuayinonu can return is Week 5 against the Seahawks on Sunday, Oct. 11. In a corresponding move, the 49ers signed edge rusher Khalid Kareem from the Falcons' practice squad to the active roster.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Won't travel with team to Australia
Rotowire
Okuayinonu (foot) will not travel with the team to Melbourne, Australia ahead of the Week 1 game versus the Rams, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Okuayinonu is coming off his best season, as he finished the 2025 campaign with 39 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble over 15 regular-season games. While he's not on the initial charter flight with his teammates, Okuayinonu remains listed as questionable, so the door isn't closed concerning his availability for the opener.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Signs tender Wednesday
Rotowire
Okuayinonu signed his restricted free-agent tender with the 49ers on Wednesday.
Okuayinonu is officially set to return to San Francisco, where he spent the past two seasons, recording 74 tackles (48 solo) and two forced fumbles across 31 games. The 27-year-old will likely continue to operate as a backup linebacker during the upcoming campaign.
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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: 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.
