George Odum Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Texans vs Colts game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 14, 2025
Works out with Pittsburgh
The Steelers hosted Odum (elbow) for a workout Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
The veteran safety underwent elbow surgery in June before being released by the 49ers in July with a non-football injury designation. Odum appears to have recovered from the procedure and is looking to join a team in need of help on special teams and at safety. The Steelers are one of those teams, as Miles Killebrew is expected to be sidelined indefinitely due to a non-contact knee injury that he suffered during Pittsburgh's 23-9 win over Cleveland on Sunday.
Jul 19, 2025
Underwent elbow surgery
Odum suffered an offseason elbow injury that he underwent surgery for in June, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum ended the 2024 campaign on injured reserve due to a knee issue, but it was an offseason elbow injury that needed surgery and led the 49ers to place him on the active/NFI list Friday. San Francisco then released the veteran safety/special-teamer Saturday. Rapoport suggests that Odum will need 6-to-8 more weeks to recover from the surgery and isn't likely to sign with a team until after the start of the new season.
Jul 19, 2025
Released by San Francisco
Odum (knee) was released by the 49ers on Saturday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
The move comes a day after the safety and special teamer was placed on the active/non-football injury list. Odum also ended the 2024 campaign on injured reserve with a knee issue. The veteran played primarily on special teams over the last three seasons with San Francisco, and he will now have to look for another opportunity.
Jul 18, 2025
Sidelined entering 2025
Odum (knee) was placed on the active/non-football injury list Friday.
ANALYSIS
Odum ended the 2024 season on injured reserve and may still be dealing with the injury. He played primarily on special teams prior to being sidelined, and that will likely be his role again in 2025 once he can return to the field.
Jan 8, 2025
Ends 2024 on injured reserve
Odum tallied 16 tackles (14 solo) and four pass defenses across 12 regular-season games in 2024.
ANALYSIS
Odum started in the first two games of the regular season as Talanoa Hufanga was in the final stages of his recovery from a torn ACL, and the former logged five solo tackles and two pass defenses over that span. Odum served primarily on special teams from Week 3 onwards, though he did play a season-high 55 snaps against the Seahawks in Week 6 and finished with six tackles (four solo) and two pass defenses. His 2024 campaign ended in early December when he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, but he should be fully healthy for the start of training camp in July.
Dec 7, 2024
Placed on IR due to knee injury
The 49ers placed Odum (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum popped up on Thursday's injury report due to a knee injury, and it appears serious enough to warrant a multi-game absence. He'll be required to miss at least the next four regular-season games, making Week 18 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 5 the earliest he could return. Tashaun Gipson and Malik Mustapha will serve as the 49ers' backup safeties behind Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) due to Odum's injury.
Dec 6, 2024
Missing Week 14
Odum (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum logged a DNP at Thursday's practice after not being listed on the 49ers' injury report Wednesday, so he likely sustained a knee injury during practice. The 31-year-old has recorded 16 total tackles and four passes defended in 12 appearances this season. With Odum sidelined for the first time this season, expect Tashaun Gipson to serve as San Francisco's top backup safety.
Aug 8, 2024
Making push for bigger role
David Lombardi of The Athletic relays that Odum's performance in training camp is earning him a bigger role in the 49ers' defense, and the 30-year-old is currently listed on as the starting strong safety on San Francisco's depth chart.
ANALYSIS
Since joining San Francisco in 2022, Odum has been used primarily on special teams, playing just 37 snaps on defense in each of the last two seasons. However, with strong safety Talanoa Hufanga still recovering from a torn ACL and not expected to be back until mid-August, Odum has taken advantage of his increased reps with the first-team defense, recording a handful of interceptions in training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wants to Odum on the field more, noting last week that "we're going to try and find a way to put [Odum] on both [defense and special teams]."
Mar 12, 2024
Signs extension
Odum signed a two-year contract extension with the 49ers on Tuesday, which could be worth up to $10 million, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum had one year left on his three-year contract signed in 2022, but he'll now be slated to stay in San Fransisco for at least the next three seasons. The 30-year-old has been a standout on special teams, including earning All-Pro honors in 2020, and should continue that role in 2024.
Jan 20, 2024
Activated from IR
The 49ers activated Odum (biceps) from injured reserve Saturday and he's set to play in the team's NFC divisional round game against the Packers, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum was a full participant in Wednesday's and Thursday's practice sessions. He is set to take the field for the first time since Week 12 against the Seahawks when he sustained a torn biceps injury. Odum figures to slot back into his reserve free safety role behind starter Tashaun Gipson.
Jan 18, 2024
Set to be activated Friday
Odum (biceps) is expected to be activated from injured reserve Friday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum was designated to return from IR on Jan. 10 and he has logged full practices each of the last two days, setting him up to return for Saturday's matchup with the Packers in the divisional round. The 30-year-old will likely be back in his role as the primary reserve option behind Tashaun Gipson at free safety versus Green Bay.
Jan 10, 2024
Practice window officially opens
The 49ers designated Odum (biceps) to return from injured reserve Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Odum landed on IR at the end of November after tearing his biceps Week 12 against Seattle. With San Francisco holding the NFC's No. 1 seed and thus a bye this week, the veteran safety will work to return in time for next weekend's divisional round. Odum spent most of his time on special teams prior to getting hurt and would presumably return to the same role if he's able to make it back on the field for the playoffs, though his work on defense could grow if Ji'Ayir Brown (knee) and/or Tashaun Gipson (quad) end up missing extended time.
Jan 9, 2024
Set to return from IR
Odum (biceps) is expected to be designated to return from injured reserve by the 49ers this week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum has been out since suffering a torn biceps in late November, but he will now have a 21-day window to return to practice and ultimately be added to the team's active roster. If the safety isn't able to be activated, he'll remain on the team's IR through the postseason.
Nov 27, 2023
Goes to IR
The 49ers placed Odum (biceps) on their injured reserve list Monday.
ANALYSIS
As expected, Odum will have to miss at least San Francisco's next four games as he recovers from a torn biceps he sustained Thursday at Seattle. In a corresponding move, rookie fifth-round defensive lineman Robert Beal was activated from the injured reserve list.
Nov 24, 2023
Out 2-4 months with torn biceps
Odum (biceps) suffered a torn biceps in Thursday's 31-13 win over the Seahawks and is expected to face a recovery timeline of two-to-four months, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The extent of Odum's injury was confirmed by an MRI on Friday after he exited Thursday's win. Odum has an outside chance to return during the postseason, but the standout special teams contributor is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
Nov 23, 2023
Ruled out during game
Odum (biceps) will not return to Thursday's contest against the Seahawks.
ANALYSIS
The special teams player will not leave the defense vulnerably thin at safety. Expect more information regarding his status to emerge in short order.
Oct 19, 2023
Practices Thursday
Odum (quadricep) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
The special teamer left Sunday's game against the Browns with the injury. Odum played in the previous five games and made eight tackles.
Oct 15, 2023
Questionable to return
Odum is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Browns due to a thigh injury, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum didn't record any counting stats before suffering the injury. He's played primarily on special teams to start the season, so his absence shouldn't have an impact on San Francisco's secondary.
Mar 18, 2022
Joins 49ers on three-year deal
Odum agreed to a three-year, $10.95 million contract with the 49ers on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum took on an expanded role in the Colts' secondary due to injuries last season, and he set a career high with 55 tackles (45 solo) to go along with one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. San Francisco's 2021 starting safety Jaquiski Tartt is now a free agent, as Odum is set to handle a starting role.
Jan 2, 2022
Maintaining expanded role
Odum will serve as the Colts' starting free safety in the absence of Andrew Sendejo (concussion) Sunday against the Raiders, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum played on 100 percent of defensive snaps in Week 16, Sendejo's initial absence. He racked up a season-high nine tackles and a pass defended, and he should be in for a big role again in a Week 17 matchup against the Raiders.
Nov 23, 2021
Grabs interception in win
Odum started at strong safety and had six total tackles, a pass defensed and an interception in Sunday's win at Buffalo.
ANALYSIS
Odum has performed well since moving into a starting role with Khari Willis on injured reserve with a calf injury. It's not clear when Willis may be able to return, so Odum looks likely to start this week against Tampa Bay.
Sep 14, 2021
Limited to special teams
Odum didn't have a tackle and played all 18 of his snaps on special teams in Sunday's loss to Seattle.
ANALYSIS
Odum looked set for a larger role in the secondary, but didn't play on defense Sunday. He may have a harder time finding a role on defense with the Colts signing Andrew Sendejo on Tuesday.
Sep 8, 2021
Off injury report
Odum (concussion) isn't listed on the Colts' injury report Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Odum left the Colts' preseason finale early with a concussion but appears on track to play in the season opener Sunday against Seattle. The safety is slated for a bigger role with Indianapolis' secondary if he can stay healthy.
Aug 28, 2021
Exits with concussion
Odum left Friday's preseason win at Detroit due to a concussion, ESPN 107.5 FM Indianapolis reports.
ANALYSIS
Odum may have a larger role as a depth player in the secondary this season. He'll hopefully have enough time to recover before a Week 1 matchup against Seattle.
Apr 19, 2021
Signs tender with Colts
Odum signed his franchise tender with Indianapolis on Monday.
ANALYSIS
Odum will stick with the Colts for a fourth consecutive season. The depth safety has been reliable in his role for Indianapolis -- he has yet to miss a regular-season game -- but in 2020 he was limited to special teams aside from 25 defensive snaps.
Jan 28, 2020
Another 37-tackle campaign
Odum recorded 37 tackles and two forced fumbles over 16 games in 2019.
ANALYSIS
Odum worked in a reserve role and averaged 18 defensive snaps per game, but he also logged a healthy dose of special teams. The 26-year-old safety has a chance to earn a starting role in 2020 if Clayton Geathers walks in free agency, but the Colts could bring in additional competition through the draft or free agency.
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