49ers add much needed reinforcements off the free agent market, including a veteran pass rusher with ties to Raheem Morris
The San Francisco 49ers signed two veteran free agents on Wednesday in pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge to help make up for the mounting injuries at both positions.
The San Francisco 49ers have been ravaged by injuries throughout the first few days of training camp and the front office is adding some more reinforcements to the roster to help make up for some of the short-term losses.
The 49ers already reunited with former All-Pro weapon Deebo Samuel after losing Ricky Pearsall but had other issues pop up at the wide receiver position with Mike Evans now missing time due to a quad injury.
As a result, the 49ers have brought in another veteran pass catcher in KhaDarel Hodge along with bringing in pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo to help with the depth off the edge.
49ers add much needed veteran help in KhaDarel Hodge and Ogbo Okoronkwo
Ogbo Okoronkwo is the bigger name of the two and has history playing for defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. The two spent one year together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021 when Morris was the defensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay. Okoronkwo played 13 games that season totaling 2.0 sacks in route to a Super Bowl win.
After that season, Okoronkwo spent time with the Houston Texans (one year), Cleveland Browns (two years), and Philadelphia Eagles (one year) as a rotational pass rusher. In those four seasons, he logged 12.5 sacks, 98 tackles, and 25 QB hits.
Okoronkwo worked out for the 49ers earlier in the week and he will be a perfect fit for what this defense needs while reuniting with Morris. San Franscisco was dealing with major issues off the edge after waving rookie Mikail Kamara due to a torn ACL while Keion White (adductor) and Cameron Sample (knee) deal with injuries of their own. Last year’s first-round pick, Mykel Williams, remains on the PUP list as well.
As for Hodge, he gives the team another veteran presence at the wide receiver position. He’s been in the league for eight seasons now with four different teams and has 118 games under his belt throughout his career.
He’s not the top name Samuel was on the market, but he brings plenty of experience to the table, both on offense and special teams.
It’s not major additions joining the roster, but it at least gives the 49ers some depth pieces at two positions that have been hit the hardest by injuries. Hopefully it’s enough to get the team through the rest of camp and who knows, maybe Okoronkwo and Hodge can make the most of this opportunity and stick around.
