The 49ers are on their way to Australia, but defensive end Sam Okuayinonu is not with them.
Shortly before departure, the 49ers announced that Okuayinonu would not be on the team flight to Melbourne for next week’s game against the Rams. Okuayinonu has a foot injury.
Ordinarily, when a player doesn’t make a team flight, that means he’s not going to play in the game, but the 49ers are currently classifying Okuayinonu as questionable. Depending on how his foot responds to treatment in the coming days, it’s possible that he’ll fly to Australia separately.
Okuayinonu is an important part of the 49ers’ defense: Last year he started 12 games in the regular season and both playoff games. This year he’s expected to be a backup but get plenty of snaps in the defensive line rotation, if he’s healthy.
The 49ers’ other players, including tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa, are on the plane. Kittle and Bosa are both rehabbing from injuries and there were concerns that they might not be ready for Week One, but from all indications they’re both ready to go against the Rams.
The 49ers are flying to Australia a full week early to adjust to the time change and prepare on-site. The Rams are not arriving in Australia until the day before the game.
