The San Francisco 49ers hosted Ogbo Okoronkwo, Andre Carter II and Xavier Thomas for defensive end tryouts on Sunday as the team continues to look for help on a defensive line hit by injuries.
The move came after the 49ers had already signed Titus Leo, a sign that they are still trying to add enough healthy bodies for camp and preseason work. Tryouts at this point in the summer are often about depth and availability as much as long-term roster upside.
What Okoronkwo brings
Okoronkwo has been around the NFL long enough to give the 49ers a clear look at his track record. He has 17.0 career sacks in 81 games, including 3.0 sacks in 16 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2023.
His most recent season was interrupted almost immediately. Last season, Okoronkwo played one game for the Philadelphia Eagles before a season-ending triceps tear ended his year. That injury history is part of the evaluation now, along with whatever he can still offer as a rotational edge defender.
Why the 49ers are looking now
The timing makes sense for San Francisco. Teams want enough defensive ends to get through camp practices and preseason games, and injuries can quickly turn a stable position into a thin one. The 49ers' decision to bring in multiple tryout players suggests they are still searching for the right mix of short-term help and roster competition.
For Okoronkwo, the tryout is another chance to show he can still fit on an NFL roster. For the 49ers, it is another step in trying to patch the defensive end group before the season gets closer.
