Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch watches pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
San Francisco 49ers: Place Rotational Piece on Injured Reserve 1
The San Francisco 49ers’ EDGE rusher room is very thin heading into Week 1. Nick Bosa recently returned to practice at full capacity after recovering from an ACL tear and knee tendinitis, which later followed. Mykel Williams is on the PUP list while recovering from an ACL tear and meniscus damage and will miss at least the first month. Sam Okuayinonu suffered a foot injury on Wednesday and did not travel with the team to Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, indicating he will not play against the Los Angeles Rams.
The San Francisco 49ers place a rotational piece on injured reserve
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Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Sam Okuayinonu (91) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
According to Adam Schefter, the 49ers have placed Sam Okuayinonu on injured reserve. As a result, Okuayinonu will be sidelined for at least the next four games. The earliest the rotational piece can return is Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
49ers signed veteran DL Khalid Kareem to a one-year deal and placed DL Sam Okuayinonu on the Injured Reserve List.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2026
This leaves the 49ers with only three EDGE rushers on the active roster: Nick Bosa, Romello Height, and Keion White.
The 49ers poached a pass rusher, reuniting him with the DC
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Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris reacts in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
In a corresponding move, the 49ers have poached Khalid Kareem from the Falcons’ practice squad. The 28-year-old Kareem has had two stints in Atlanta since 2024, during which Raheem Morris was the head coach, making six appearances and recording 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. NFL rules require players poached from a practice squad to receive at least three weekly paychecks, and they count against the 53-man roster for three weeks, even if they get released before then.
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