Sam Okuayinonu - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Bye week addition of DeForest Buckner should provide a big lift to the 49ers defense

A new defensive coordinator, an infusion of youth and the return of Dre Greenlaw had San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner raving about how much fun he was having anchori...

OCTOBER 29 • Associated Press

49ers DE Mykel Williams excited to get back on the field for 1st time since knee surgery

Defensive end Mykel Williams has spent nearly a year working his way back after a torn knee ligament cut short his rookie season for the San Francisco 49ers

OCTOBER 8 • Associated Press

49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa will miss a few games after hurting his calf

San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa injured his calf warming up for practice earlier this week and will miss a few games

SEPTEMBER 25 • Associated Press

The 49ers lose another defensive tackle to injury with C.J. West going on IR

The San Francisco 49ers lost another key contributor when they placed defensive tackle C

SEPTEMBER 23 • Associated Press

49ers DT Alfred Collins out for season after injuring knee in Melbourne, coach Shanahan says

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan says defensive tackle Alfred Collins is out for the season after tearing his patellar tendon

SEPTEMBER 9 • Associated Press

Requires foot surgery Okuayinonu broke his foot and is set to have surgery to repair the issue, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Impact The linebacker has hope to 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 from a separate issue, and the 28-year-old's foot was crushed during a session in practice earlier in September.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

The 49ers are refreshed in Australia and preparing for the opener vs. the Rams

The San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Australia, mostly gotten over the impact of the long flight and now are getting prepared to open their season on Friday in Melbourne against...

SEPTEMBER 7 • Associated Press

Deadspin | 49ers place DT Sam Okuayinonu (foot) on IR Deadspin | 49ers place DT Sam Okuayinonu (foot) on IR

SEPTEMBER 6 • DEADSPIN.COM

Lands on injured reserve The 49ers placed Okuayinonu (foot) on injured reserve Friday.

Impact 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, 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.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Deadspin | 49ers DT Sam Okuayinonu out for opener vs. Rams in Australia Deadspin | 49ers DT Sam Okuayinonu out for opener vs. Rams in Australia

SEPTEMBER 4 • DEADSPIN.COM

San Francisco 49ers arrive in Melbourne for historic NFL game against the LA Rams

The San Francisco 49ers have arrived in Melbourne for their season-opening NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sept. 11

SEPTEMBER 4 • Associated Press

Won't travel with team to Australia 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.

Impact Okuayinonu is coming off his best season, ending the 2025 campaign by amassing 39 total tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble over 15 regular-season games. He is currently listed as questionable, so the door isn't closed concerning his availability for the opener.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

49ers have unexpected travel agent to aid them ahead of Australia game Sam Okuayinonu has taken multiple trips to Australia, and he had some golden advice for the rest of his 49ers teammates ahead of Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 2 • NINERNOISE.COM

Plays Thursday Okuayinonu recorded two solo tackles in Thursday night's 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers.

Impact Okuayinonu played 17 defensive snaps in the contest. The defensive end appears to have recovered from his minor ankle issue and is back in action. The 28-year-old will likely see a similar number of snaps in next Thursday's preseason game against the Raiders.

AUGUST 22 • ROTOWIRE

49ers Veteran Suddenly Trending Toward Starting Role San Francisco 49ers veteran Sam Okuayinonu is trending toward a Week 1 starting role as injuries thin out the team's edge-rusher room.

AUGUST 19 • SI.COM

Tending to ankle issue Okuayinonu suffered an apparent ankle injury during the 49ers' training camp practice Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Impact The severity of the issue is still unknown at this point, but Okuayinonu's is one of more than a few injuries San Francisco now has to contend with on its front seven. Until he's back on the field, veteran Ogbo Okoronkwo could see an uptick in practice reps on the edge.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

49ers hope overlooked pass-rusher can finally break out (with some needed help) Sam Okuayinonu isn't a name brought up much when looking at the 49ers pass rush, but he could experience a breakout amid several roster chan...

JULY 9 • NINERNOISE.COM

Signs tender Wednesday Okuayinonu signed his restricted free-agent tender with the 49ers on Wednesday.

Impact 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.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Signs tender Wednesday Okuayinonu signed his restricted free-agent tender with the 49ers on Wednesday.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

49ers agree to a 2-year, $8M contract with tight end Jake Tonges

The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back tight end Jake Tonges following a breakthrough season when he emerged as a viable second option behind George Kittle

MARCH 11 • Associated Press

Another solid year as backup Okuayinonu finished the 2025 regular season with 39 tackles (23 solo), 3.0 sacks and a forced fumble across 15 active games.

Impact Okuayinonu signed a one-year contract to return to the 49ers and serve as a primary 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.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Re-signing backup free-agent D-lineman is a no-brainer move for 49ers The 49ers have every reason to keep reserve defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu off the market by re-signing him to a new deal.

FEBRUARY 2 • NINERNOISE.COM

49ers en Español: Los 49ers caen 13 a 3 contra Seattle | El Podcast de los Fieles

JANUARY 4 • YOUTUBE

The Blitz: How Kyle Shanahan and the Battered 49ers are Thriving

Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers are on the verge capturing of the NFC's No. 1 seed. Here's how they are doing it.

JANUARY 1 • FOX SPORTS

The Blitz: How Kyle Shanahan and the Battered 49ers are Thriving

Ready to face Colts Okuayinonu (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Monday's game against Indianapolis.

Impact Okuayinonu will retake the field for the first time since suffering an ankle injury versus the Browns in Week 12. He's expected to resume handling a starting role at defensive end on the road against the Colts on Monday night.

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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