The San Francisco 49ers are signing edge rusher Khalid Kareem from the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Kareem spent the previous two seasons with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris in Atlanta.
According to Auman, Kareem is en route to Melbourne, suggesting he’ll play in Week 1. This move is a necessity, as Sam Okuayinonu was recently ruled out with a foot injury.
It’s as close to a 1-for-1 swap as it gets. Kareem is 6’4″, 268 pounds. Okuayinonu is 6’1″,
269 pounds. Kareem came into the NFL with his arm length in the 83rd percentile and his hands in the 95th percentile. Morris will likely rely on Kareem to be disruptive against the run, much like Okuayinonu is when he’s on the field.
Kareem doesn’t have a ton of experience, despite being drafted in the 5th round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since 2022, he’s played fewer than 200 snaps. Kareem appeared in four games last season, but never surpassed 26 snaps in a game.
Kareem had four stops in 31 snaps on the edge last season, along with five quarterback pressures. One of those stops and pressures came against the Rams in Week 17. So there’s no real guesswork as to how Kareem can hold up against Sean McVay’s offense. That’s a benefit.
Depending on Romello Height’s ankle injury, this may not be the final move the 49ers make ahead of Week 1. What these injuries are doing is putting more on Nick Bosa and Keion White’s plates.
Remember, the 49ers added Kevin Givens to the practice squad. He could be a game-day activation and play on the edge to give the defense a bigger body against the Rams’ heavy personnel sets. Robert Saleh did that with Givens occasionally last season when the team was shorthanded on the edge.
The team has not announced a corresponding move yet. If Okuayinonu’s injury is serious, we could see the 49ers place him on the Injured Reserve.
