The San Francisco 49ers may need to dip into their practice squad right away for reinforcements to their Week 1 game day roster. Those reinforcements may come in the form of two early reported practice squad additions.
Per the Athletic's Matt Barrows, defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge are among the first players headed back to the 49ers' practice roster. Undrafted wide receiver Wesley Grimes and undrafted tight end Khalil Dinkins were also in that report.
Grimes and Dinkins are long-term development projects who aren't likely to see the game day roster this year barring a disaster. It's a different story for Okoronkwo and Hodge, who could both be up Week 1 against the Rams.
Okoronkwo may be necessary depth on the edge
where San Francisco is dealing with some injury questions marks. The former fifth-round pick of the Rams played in 82 total snaps in the preseason and logged three sacks and six pressures according to Pro Football Focus. With rookie Romello Height and veteran Nick Bosa both question marks for the regular season opener we could see Okoronkwo up in Week 1 to face his former team.
Hodge had a nice preseason as a special teams player which is where he'd likely contribute for San Francisco if he's brought up. The 49ers could lose some core special teams players to IR. They may also not have WR Jacob Cowing available in Week 1 while he deals with an injury. Once the 49ers know what they're working with at WR and on special teams, Hodge could become a key player for them against the Rams.
The 49ers and Rams kick off at 5:35pm Pacific Time on Sept. 10 from the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 2 49ers returning to practice squad could have immediate Week 1 impact
