As the San Francisco 49ers prepare for their Week 1 showdown against the New York Jets, the team has made some strategic roster adjustments. Among the moves, the 49ers have re-signed defensive end Sam Okuayinonu to their practice squad, while releasing offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez to make room.
Okuayinonu initially secured a spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster but was waived on August 28. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2022. Despite his brief tenure with the 49ers, the coaching staff has been impressed with his potential.
“He flashed for us,” said defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, reflecting on Okuayinonu’s performance last week. “He came to us late, and just the way that he explodes. He’s still young in our system, so we just saw some flashes and then it started to apply.”
Sorensen acknowledged that Okuayinonu’s progress was hindered by a hamstring injury, which limited his time in game situations and practices. However, the 49ers see significant upside in Okuayinonu and believe he can develop into a valuable player for the team.
Okuayinonu brings experience from his time with the Titans, where he appeared in six games, recording 11 tackles, a quarterback hit, and half a sack. His re-signing indicates the 49ers’ confidence in his potential to contribute to the team, especially as he becomes more integrated into their defensive system.
In addition to the Okuayinonu move, the 49ers also reached an injury settlement with safety Taylor Hawkins, who had been re-signed to the team’s injured reserve after clearing waivers.
Okuayinonu, a 26-year-old from Lowell, MA, attended the University of Maryland from 2019 to 2021. During his college career, he appeared in 29 games and recorded 103 tackles and 7.5 sacks, showcasing his ability to impact the game defensively.
On the other side of the roster shuffle, Gutierrez, who stands at 6-5 and 308 pounds, had been signed to the 49ers’ practice squad on August 28. However, with Okuayinonu back on board, the team opted to part ways with the offensive lineman as they continue to refine their roster ahead of the regular season.
