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49ers dealt major blow before season opener as star player lands on injured reserve
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- 49ers dealt major blow before season opener as star player lands on injured reserve
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers have made a significant roster move involving veteran defensive end Sam Okuayinonu after his foot injury ruled him out of their season opener.
Okuayinonu has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the 2026 season.
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The defensive end did not travel to Australia with the rest of the 49ers after suffering the foot injury, and he was subsequently ruled out of San Francisco's Week 1 clash with the Los Angeles Rams.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Sam Okuayinonu placed on injured reserve
The latest move represents a further setback for Okuayinonu after the injury prevented him from joining the team in Australia.
"49ers sign Jon Weeks to 53 along with Khalid Kareem from practice squad, place Sam Okuayinonu on IR," Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston shared in a post on X.
Okuayinonu had played an unexpectedly important role for the 49ers in 2025. After featuring in a reserve role in 2024, he started 12 of the 15 games he played last season, recording 39 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
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His role was expected to decrease in 2026, but he was still projected to remain an important part of San Francisco's defensive line.
The foot injury has now disrupted those plans, with Okuayinonu set to miss at least the opening four games after being placed on injured reserve.
The 49ers also made additional roster moves alongside Okuayinonu's placement on IR, signing Jon Weeks to the 53-man roster and promoting Khalid Kareem from the practice squad.
Okuayinonu's absence now leaves San Francisco without the veteran defensive end for the opening stretch of the regular season as the team prepares to begin its campaign against the Rams.
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