49ers defensive end Okuayinonu ruled out for Week 1 vs. Rams in Australia, September 5
49ers defensive end Sam Okuayinonu will not play Thursday, September 5 against the Rams in Melbourne due to a foot injury. He did not travel with the team to Australia. Tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa made the trip and are expected to play.
Sam Okuayinonu will not play in the San Francisco 49ers' Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, September 5 in Melbourne, per Yahoo Sports. The 49ers' defensive end is sidelined by a foot injury and did not travel with the team to Australia. Per Yahoo Sports, last year he started 12 games in the regular season and both playoff games. This season, per Yahoo Sports, he is expected to be a backup but receive significant snaps in the defensive line rotation once healthy. The 49ers had held open the possibility of his arrival in Melbourne. Per Yahoo Sports, the team "originally indicated it was possible that Okuayinonu could make a later flight if he made progress in his recovery from a foot injury." That progress did not materialize. Other injured players made the trip. Per Yahoo Sports, tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa both traveled to Australia and are rehabbing from injuries but are expected to play against the Rams.
Okuayinonu started 12 games in the regular season and both playoff games last year but will miss the season opener, forcing the 49ers to adjust their defensive line rotation at the start of the week.
The 49ers' defensive line depth will be tested in Australia without him.
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Sources
Single-source report. As published, only Yahoo Sports had reported this development. No independent outlet had corroborated it.
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