Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-1, 269 lbs |
| Birthplace: Monrovia, LR |
| Age: 28 |
| School: Maryland |
| Experience: 4 |
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Top Sam Okuayinonu News
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Lands on injured reserve
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
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: Plays Thursday
Okuayinonu recorded two solo tackles in Thursday night's 41-17 preseason win over the Chargers.
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.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Tending to ankle issue
Okuayinonu suffered an apparent ankle injury during the 49ers' training camp practice Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
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 Okuayinonu is back on the field, veteran Ogbo Okoronkwo could see an uptick in practice reps on the edge.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Signs tender Wednesday
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: Signs tender Wednesday
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: Another solid year as backup
Okuayinonu finished the 2025 regular season with 39 tackles (23 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and a forced fumble across 15 active games.
Okuayinonu signed a one-year contract to return to the 49ers and serve as a 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.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Ready to face Colts
Okuayinonu (ankle) does not carry an injury designation for Monday's game against Indianapolis.
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.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Logs limited practice
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
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: 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.
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.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Sidelined to begin week
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: Set to miss Week 13
Okuayinonu (ankle) is expected to miss multiple weeks, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
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.
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49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Exits game with ankle injury
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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