Former 49ers D-Lineman gives an unprompted shoutout to ascending young player after Week 5
The San Francisco 49ers have struggled to replace Charles Omenihu since he left for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency in 2023. His ability to play as a defensive end and rush the passer from an interior alignment was supremely valuable, and the Niners have yet to find a player who can emulate him […]
The San Francisco 49ers have struggled to replace Charles Omenihu since he left for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency in 2023. His ability to play as a defensive end and rush the passer from an interior alignment was supremely valuable, and the Niners have yet to find a player who can emulate him in that regard.
Free agent signing Yetur Gross-Matos has showed some promise in that area, but will now be on the shelf for four to eight weeks after having surgery on a knee injury he sustained in the final preseason game.
Yet Omenihu, who is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in the AFC Championship Game last season, believes the 49ers have found an extremely useful player for their scheme.
Omenihu posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, giving an unprompted shoutout to a defensive lineman who has emerged as something of a hidden gem for the Niners.
Despite being placed on the practice squad after initially making the 53-man roster, Sam Okuayinonu has played in four of the 49ers' five games this season, and was promoted permanently from the practice squad ahead of the Week 4 game with the New England Patriots, in which he recorded a forced fumble.
He was not as impactful in Week 5 as the 49ers suffered a shock loss to the Arizona Cardinals, but Omenihu was still impressed when watching the tape, specifically with his effort in run defense.
Omenihu wrote: "Monday is the day where I watch film on DL play across the league. #91 (Okuayinonu) for the Niners plays the run extremely physical exactly how it’s supposed to be played in that system."
And Omenihu is not alone in having a high opinion of Okuayinonu's run defense. Indeed, among edge defenders, Okuayinonu has the third-highest Pro Football Focus run defense grade in the NFL. Per Sports Info Solutions, Okuayinonu is first among all defensive linemen in points saved per play against the run.
Having also shown an ability to push the pocket as a pass rusher, Okuayinonu has played his way into a role in which he has a regular and increasingly important part of the 49ers' D-Line rotation. Given San Francisco's lack of depth up front, the Niners will be hoping he maintains the extremely high level of play that has Omenihu so impressed and gives them reason to keep him on the field for longer periods.
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He has endured a tough season.
