MELBOURNE, Australia— The 49ers moved defensive end Sam Okuayinonu onto injured reserve Saturday morning, six days before their ballyhooed season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Journeyman defensive end Khalid Kareem was signed in a corresponding roster move.
Okuayinonu, a fill-in starter the past two seasons, practiced Wednesday before a foot injury kept him from joining the 49ers on their charter flight here.
The 49ers’ projected starting defensive ends are Nick Bosa and Keion White. In reserve are rookie Romello Height, practice-squad option Ogbo Okoronkwo and now the 6-foot-4, 268-pound Kareem.
Drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals with a 2020 fifth-round pick, Kareem has had stints with the Cincinnati Bengals (2020-21), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Chicago Bears (2023), and Atlanta Falcons (2024-25).
The 49ers’ walk-through practice Saturday was closed to the media, but reporters will be allowed to watch the start of sessions Monday through Wednesday. Several players, including Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams, attended an Aussie-rules playoff game Friday night at Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is located within a mile of the team’s downtown hotel.