OGBO OKORONKWO NEWS

Why free agent DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo could be a good pickup for the Browns Okoronkwo could have a breakout season in 2023.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • CLEVELAND.COM

Makes strong FA case Okoronkwo recorded one tackle and a pass defensed in a 32-31 win over the Colts in Week 18.

Impact Okoronkwo recorded career highs in tackles (44) and sacks (five) in his first year with Houston after three seasons with the Rams. He played a full 17-game season after injuries limited him in Los Angeles. The full season of health and career-high production puts the 27-year-old linebacker in a good position as he heads into free agency.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available for season finale Okoronkwo (illness) is officially active for Sunday's game at Indianapolis.

Impact Okoronkwo was questionable due to an illness but is available for Sunday's season finale. The 27-year-old has played in all 16 games this season and has 43 tackles (31 solo), five sacks and one forced fumble.

JANUARY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with illness Okoronkwo is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Colts due to an illness.

Impact Okoronkwo landed on the injury report Thursday as a non-participant due to an illness and was limited during Friday's session. If he's unable to suit up, Jonathan Greenard, Rasheem Green and Mario Addison would be candidates for increased snaps opposite Jerry Hughes.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs two sacks in win Okoronkwo had five tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in Saturday's 19-14 win over the Titans.

Impact Okoronkwo and the rest of the defensive line have played well over the second half of the season. The fourth-year defensive end has a career-high four sacks this season, all in the last four weeks, while the defense has logged 23 over the last nine games. Okoronkwo's 39 tackles in 2022 are more than he registered in three years with the Rams.

DECEMBER 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Texans snap 9-game skid by beating skidding Titans 19-14

Davis Mills threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks with 2:52 left, and the Houston Texans snapped a nine-game skid by beating the sliding Tennessee Titans 19-14

DECEMBER 24, 2022 • Associated Press

Misses Monday's practice Okoronkwo sat out Monday's practice with an undisclosed injury, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports. "We don't think it's anything too serious," head coach Lovie Smith s...

Impact Okoronkwo, entering his fourth NFL season, was signed to give a boost to the defensive line's pass rush after the unit had limited success in 2021. His contributions in that area showed during the first two preseason games, as he's been one of the more disruptive players. Okoronkwo has registered a combined six tackles, one sack and three quarterback hits over 70 snaps.

AUGUST 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to Houston Okoronkwo has agreed to terms on a deal with the Texans, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Impact Okoronkwo spent his first four seasons with the Rams. He recorded 13 tackles (seven solo) and two sacks across 13 games n 2022. He will presumably compete for a role at outside linebacker in Houston.

MARCH 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Texans, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo agree to terms on a contract The Texans are signing Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, leaving the Rams with one fewer pass rusher

MARCH 15, 2022 • USATODAY.COM

Removed from COVID-19 list Okoronkwo was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Okoronkwo has played at least 13 defensive snaps in every game in which he's been active this season. He'll likely have a similar role Sunday against the Vikings. Across 10 appearances, the third-year linebacker has totaled 15 tackles and two sacks.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on COVID-19 list Okoronkwo (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Impact Okoronkwo was one of five Rams to be placed in COVID-19 protocols Thursday. With his status for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks in jeopardy, Jamir Jones and Terrell Lewis could be in store for increased snaps in Week 15.

DECEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Stafford throws 4 TDs, D forces 4 TOs, Rams rout Giants

Matthew Stafford threw three of his four touchdown passes in a 28-point second quarter and the Los Angeles Rams rolled to a 38-11 victory over the injury-plagued and error-prone Ne...

OCTOBER 17, 2021 • Associated Press

Activated from injured reserve The Rams activated Okoronkwo (shoulder) from injured reserve Saturday, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Impact Okoronkwo will look to make his 2021 debut during Week 4. The 26-year-old appeared in 10 contests last season and notched 12 tackles, one sack and one pass deflection.

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Designated to return from IR Okoronkwo (shoulder) has been designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Okoronkwo will have a three-week window to be added to the active roster. If he isn't, then he will spend the remainder of the season on IR. The 26-year-old appeared in 10 contests last season and notched 12 tackles, one sack and one pass deflection.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IR The Rams placed Okoronkwo (shoulder) on injured reserve Thursday, Cameron DaSilva of the Rams Wire reports.

Impact Okoronkwo will be sidelined until at least Week 4 after suffering a shoulder stinger during training camp. He appeared in 10 contests last season, notching 12 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shoulder stinger Coach Sean McVay said Wednesday that Okoronkwo is nursing a shoulder stinger, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Impact Okoronkwo's shoulder injury will likely force him to miss Saturday's exhibition finale against the Broncos, but he will have more than two weeks to recover before Sept. 12's regular-season opener against the Bears. He notched 12 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup across 10 contests last season.

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

All clear for Week 15 Okoronkwo (undisclosed) is active for Sunday's game against the Jets.

Impact Okoronkwo was instructed to stay away from team facilities for a portion of the practice week, as the Rams aimed to mitigate COVID-19 spread following a positive test within the organization. The 25-year-old hasn't yet started a game for L.A. this season, but he has garnered a workload of 18.3 defensive snaps per game over seven 2020 appearances. He has an opportunity to build on his modest sack total against a Jets offensive line that is tied for the seventh most surrendered on the campaign (2.8 per game).

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Receives questionable tag Okoronkwo (undisclosed) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Jets, Kevin Modesti of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Impact There are COVID-19 concerns at the Rams' facilities, and they're taking every precaution ahead of Sunday's contest. Okoronkwo has been staying away from the team as a result, according to Modesti. It's uncertain if he'll play in Sunday's game. Fellow linebacker Justin Hollins is questionable for the same reason. Rookie Terrell Lewis would see a bump in usage if both players sit out.

DECEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from IR The Rams activated Okoronkwo (elbow) from injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Okoronkwo will return to the lineup in Sunday's game against the Cardinals, his first time on the field since Week 4. Prior to his injury, Okoronkwo played around 30 percent of the snaps on defense in each game, recording eight tackles, a sack and a pass breakup. He'll serve as a reserve behind starters Leonard Floyd and Samson Ebukam.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Designated to return from IR The Rams designated Okoronkwo (elbow) to return from IR on Wednesday.

Impact Consequently, Okoronkwo's 21-day practice window has opened, and he could be available to play as soon as Sunday against San Francisco. The linebacker filled a situational role in his three games before getting injured, notching eight tackles (six solo), a sack and a pass breakup.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to return Week 10 Okoronkwo (elbow) isn't expected to return from injured reserve and play Sunday against the Seahawks, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Impact The 25-year-old underwent elbow surgery in mid-October and was given a four- to six-week recovery timeline, and he has yet to be designated to return from injured reserve. Once Okoronkwo receives the return designation, he'll have a 21-day window to practice and potentially be activated before reverting to injured reserve for the rest of the season.

NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Officially placed on IR Okoronkwo (elbow) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

Impact Okoronkwo suffered this injury in a Week 5 win over Washington and he underwent surgery that required a four- to six-week recovery timeline. The Rams made a confusing move by keeping him on the active roster for the Week 6 matchup against the 49ers, and now he'll be shut down for at least the next two games, making him eligible to return Week 10 against Seattle. Natrez Patrick and rookie Terrell Lewis figure to see increases in their respective workloads for the time being.

OCTOBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Mullens replaces Beathard as 49ers backup QB vs. Rams

The San Francisco 49ers have switched backup quarterbacks again

OCTOBER 18, 2020 • Associated Press

McVay, Goff want to continue Rams' knack for fast starts

Fast starts are nothing new for the Los Angeles Rams, having scored four opening-drive touchdowns in five games this season

OCTOBER 15, 2020 • Associated Press

Set to miss four to six weeks Okoronkwo will undergo elbow surgery and is expected to miss four to six weeks, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.

Impact The Rams likely will place Okoronkwo on injured reserve within the next couple of days. Coach Sean McVay relayed Wednesday that losing Okoronkwo is a big hit to the teams' defense since the third-year linebacker has been "playing so well." He's recorded eight tackles, a sack and a pass breakup through three games in a situational role. Samson Ebukam and rookie Terrell Lewis could both receive bumps in usage until Okoronkwo returns.

OCTOBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE