Sam Okuayinonu Injury News & Updates

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Okuayinonu signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers in February of 2024 after being teamless for the entire 2023 season. He 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.