Sam Okuayinonu - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

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.

1 DAY AGO • 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

49ers' Ricky Pearsall to miss Monday night game vs. the Colts with a knee injury

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will miss Monday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts after re-injuring his knee

DECEMBER 20, 2025 • Associated Press

Logs limited practice Okuayinonu (ankle) logged a limited practice Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

49ers' Ricky Pearsall's status uncertain for Colts game because of knee and ankle injuries

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has missed the team's first practice of the week due to knee and ankle injuries

DECEMBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Expected back at pracitce Okuayinonu (ankle) is expected to return to practice during Week 16 prep, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Week 15 Okuayinonu (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Impact Okuayinonu will miss a second consecutive game due to an ankle injury despite having additional time to recover due to the 49ers' Week 14 bye. It's an injury that he has worked through since late October, and he'll look to progress enough in his recovery to return for San Francisco's Week 16 clash against Indianapolis on Monday, Dec. 22. Keion White, Clelin Ferrell and Robert Beal will continue to see more snaps at defensive end opposite Bryce Huff for as long as Okuayinonu is sidelined.

DECEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined to begin week Okuayinonu (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

49ers return from late bye week refreshed and ready for playoff push

The San Francisco 49ers have taken advantage of their long-awaited bye week to rest and recharge

DECEMBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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

Keion White has been traded from New England to San Francisco

OCTOBER 30, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 49ERS.COM

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