The 49ers placed Odum (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. Odum popped up on Thursday's injury report due to a knee injury, and it appears serious enough to warrant a multi-game absence. He'll be required to miss at least the next four regular-season games, making Week 18 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 5 the earliest he could return. Tashaun Gipson and Malik Mustapha will serve as the 49ers' backup safeties behind Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) due to Odum's injury.
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Status
IR - Knee - Not Specified Expected Return: 2025-01-05Latest George Odum news
Team
San Francisco 49ers
Birthdate
11/3/1993 (31)
Status
Injured Reserve
HT/WT
6'1", 202 lbs
Birthplace
Millington, TN, USA
Position
SAF
College
Central Arkansas
Experience
7 seasons
Career History
San Francisco 49ers
2022-Present
(3 seasons)
Indianapolis Colts
2018-2022
(4 seasons)
The 49ers placed Odum (knee) on injured reserve Saturday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. Odum popped up on Thursday's injury report due to a knee injury, and it appears serious enough to warrant a multi-game absence. He'll be required to miss at least the next four regular-season games, making Week 18 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Jan. 5 the earliest he could return. Tashaun Gipson and Malik Mustapha will serve as the 49ers' backup safeties behind Ji'Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) due to Odum's injury.
Odum (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. Odum logged a DNP at Thursday's practice after not being listed on the 49ers' injury report Wednesday, so he likely sustained a knee injury during practice. The 31-year-old has recorded 16 total tackles and four passes defended in 12 appearances this season. With Odum sidelined for the first time this season, expect Tashaun Gipson to serve as San Francisco's top backup safety.
David Lombardi of The Athletic relays that Odum's performance in training camp is earning him a bigger role in the 49ers' defense, and the 30-year-old is currently listed as the starting strong safety on San Francisco's depth chart. Since joining San Francisco in 2022, Odum has been used primarily on special teams, playing just 37 snaps on defense in each of the last two seasons. However, with strong safety Talanoa Hufanga still recovering from a torn ACL and not expected to be back until mid-August, Odum has taken advantage of his increased reps with the first-team defense, recording a handful of interceptions in training camp. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wants to Odum on the field more, noting last week that "we're going to try and find a way to put [Odum] on both [defense and special teams]."
Odum is set to sign a two-year contract extension, which could be worth up to $10 million, with the 49ers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Odum had one year left on his three-year contract signed in 2022, but he'll now be slated to stay in San Fransisco for at least the next three seasons. The 30-year-old has been a standout on special teams, earning All-Pro honors in 2020, and should continue in that role in 2024.
As expected, Odum will have to miss at least San Francisco's next four games as he recovers from a torn biceps he sustained Thursday at Seattle. In a corresponding move, rookie fifth-round defensive lineman Robert Beal was activated from the injured reserve list.
The extent of Odum's injury was confirmed by an MRI on Friday after he exited Thursday's win. Odum has an outside chance to return during the postseason, but the standout special teams contributor is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.