SAM OKUAYINONU NEWS

Set to miss Week 13 Okuayinonu (ankle) is expected to miss multiple weeks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Impact Okuayinonu suffered an ankle injury in the team's 20-9 victory over the Panthers on Monday Night Football, and he is now set to "miss a couple weeks," according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. With the 49ers set to be idle in Week 14, it's possible that the defensive lineman's absence is limited to just one game. In the meantime, Robert Beal (concussion), Keion White and Clelin Ferrell are candidates to step into a starting role on San Francisco's defensive line against the Browns on Sunday.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Exits game with ankle injury Okuayinonu (ankle) is questionable to return to Monday's game against Carolina, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Okuayinonu Sacks Jaxson Dart San Francisco 49ers DL Sam Okuayinonu powered into the backfield, bringing down Giants QB Jaxson Dart for a sack.

NOVEMBER 2 • 49ERS.COM

Good to go Sunday Okuayinonu (ankle) is active for Sunday's matchup with the Giants, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.

Impact The defensive end suffered the ankle injury in Week 8 against the Texans and missed Wednesday's practice, but he was able to return for Thursday's session. On Sunday against the G-men, Okuayinonu should continue to fill in for Nick Bosa, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. Okuayinonu has 22 tackles (10 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and a forced fumble on the year.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

49ers' Brock Purdy to miss fifth straight start with toe injury, could play backup role

Quarterback Brock Purdy will miss his fifth straight start for the San Francisco 49ers due to a toe injury

OCTOBER 31 • Associated Press

Limited in return to practice Okuayinonu (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact Okuayinonu missed Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury he picked up in Week 8 against the Texans, so his return to practice Thursday is a positive sign. He would avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants if he were to log a full practice Friday. Okuayinonu has logged 19 tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks, over his last six games, and he has seen an increased role on defense after Nick Bosa sustained a season-ending torn ACL against the Cardinals in Week 3.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Keion White joins 49ers, hopes to boost struggling pass rush

Keion White has been traded from New England to San Francisco

OCTOBER 30 • Associated Press

49ers visit the Giants looking to bounce back from their loss at Houston

The 5-3 San Francisco 49ers visit the 2-6 New York Giants looking to bounce back from an ugly loss at Houston

OCTOBER 30 • Associated Press

Can't practice Wednesday Okuayinonu (ankle) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

49ers' Brock Purdy remains limited in practice with toe injury, status for Sunday uncertain

Quarterback Brock Purdy remains limited at practice because of a toe injury, and the San Francisco 49ers won't know until later in the week if he can play against the New York Gian...

OCTOBER 29 • Associated Press

Injury-riddled 49ers fall to Texans as defense struggles and offense sputters

The San Francisco 49ers have been struggling with injuries all season, and it finally caught up with them

OCTOBER 27 • Associated Press

Hurts ankle in Week 8 Okuayinonu is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup against Houston due to an ankle injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact 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).

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

49ers Defeat Falcons, Look Ahead to Texans | The Saloon Fangirl Sports Network's Tracy Sandler recaps the 49ers win over the Falcons, with interviews featuring Jordan Elliott and Sam Okuayinonu, a...

OCTOBER 23 • 49ERS.COM

Resilient 49ers overcome injuries, led by McCaffrey's 201 yards, to defeat Falcons

Christian McCaffrey led the San Francisco 49ers to a 20-10 victory over Atlanta with 201 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns

OCTOBER 20 • Associated Press

Huff and Okuayinonu Team Up for 49ers 5-Yard Sack vs. Falcons San Francisco 49ers DL Bryce Huff and DT Sam Okuayinonu sacked Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. for a 5-yard loss.

OCTOBER 20 • 49ERS.COM

How Can The 49ers Replace Nick Bosa's Production? 4 Possible Options

With Nick Bosa out for the season after suffering an ACL knee injury, Mykel Williams must step up to fill the void and the 49ers might need...

SEPTEMBER 26 • FOX SPORTS

Sam Okuayinonu Forces Fumble, Marques Sigle to Scoop San Francisco 49ers DL Sam Okuayinonu forced a fumble against Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and teammate S Marques Sigl...

SEPTEMBER 7 • 49ERS.COM

Logs full practice Wednesday Okuayinonu (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Okuayinonu (groin) participated during Tuesday's training camp practice, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Okuayinonu was forced to sit out for a couple weeks of training camp by 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.

AUGUST 19 • ROTOWIRE

49ers injury woes continue as key players return and others sidelined

The San Francisco 49ers have seen changes in their injury list as some key players return while others remain sidelined

AUGUST 19 • Associated Press

Misses practice Monday Okuayinonu (groin) sat out of practice Monday, Eric Branch of The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact San Francisco coach Kyle Shannahan 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 as a rotational player again in 2025.

AUGUST 5 • ROTOWIRE

Jake Moody wins 49ers' kicking competition for now after Greg Joseph is released

Jake Moody has won the San Francisco 49ers' kicking competition

AUGUST 4 • Associated Press

49ers' rotational pass-rusher is already in danger of losing a roster spot Sam Okuayinonu flashed a lot of promise during his first year with the 49ers, but offseason changes put his roster spot in jeopardy.

JULY 24 • NINERNOISE.COM

Signs ERFA tender Okuayinonu signed his one-year exclusive rights tendered contract with the 49ers on Wednesday.

Impact Okuayinonu logged a career year with San Francisco in 2024, suiting up for 16 regular-season games while racking up 35 tackles (25 solo), including 3.0 sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble. He'll work to take a step forward in his development this offseason, and to again produce in a rotational role among the 49ers' pass rush.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Establishes larger role in 2024 Okuayinonu finished the 2024 regular season with 35 tackles (25 solo), including 3.0 sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble across 16 games.

Impact Okuayinonu signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers in February of 2024 after being teamless for the entire 2023 season. He initially didn't make the Niners' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but he was signed to the active roster in late September following a short stint on the practice squad. Okuayinonu eventually earned his role as a rotational defensive end behind starters Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd, and Okuayinonu was able to show off his pass-rushing ability when he accumulated 3.0 sacks in a six-game stretch between Week 3 and 8. Okuayinonu is an exclusive rights free agent for 2025, which means he is restricted to signing a contract with the 49ers if they offer one to him. If San Francisco doesn't offer a contract to Okuayinonu, he would convert into an unrestricted free agent and would have the ability to sign with any team interested in his services.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE