Four Late 49ers Additions Could Play Major Roles in Preseason Opener

The San Francisco 49ers edge rusher room has a lot of injury questions. It has caused the team to sign four new players who were not with the team when training camp opened. Based on the injury status and practice reports in the room, there is a good chance that all four are going to get significant playing time in the 49ers first preseason game.

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Nick Bosa has been in and out of the lineup as he recovers from his ACL injury. The odds of him playing in the preseason are low. Mykel Williams has yet to return from his ACL injury and Keion White has been banged up in training camp as well.

So, Sam Okuayinonnu and Romello Height are the two players most likely to make the roster and suit up for the 49ers. Still, the 49ers are mostly looking for Height to step into a pass rush specialist role. So, the team is going to see a lot of the four new additions.

Quinton Bell

Bell has bounced around the NFL and has made active rosters for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins. Last year he played 114 defensive snaps and 132 special teams snaps for the Dolphins, so he is NFL capable.

Ogbo Okoronkwo

Okoronkwo is the most likely to stick on the 53-man roster. He was a solid rotational rusher, but he suffered a pec injury last year with the Philadelphia Eagles that sidelined him for the season. Still, he is familiar with Raheem Morris, and he should get a lot of the snaps as the backup speed rusher behind Height.

K.J. Henry

Henry was signed this summer and has a chance to make the roster. However, he last saw the field on defense in 2024. He made the Cleveland Browns active roster later into the 2025 season, but played just five snaps on special teams. This is a massive opportunity for him.

Titus Leo

Leo has bounced around the NFL since being a 2023 sixth-round pick. The last active roster he made was in 2024. He has stuck in the NFL and will get cleanup opportunities in the preseason. However, he will mostly be fighting to make the practice squad.

Bell and Okoronkwo have legitimate chances to make the 53-man roster, and Henry and Leo could stick on the practice squad due to the injuries and depth questions.

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