SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When he’s been healthy over the past two seasons, San Francisco 49ers defensive back George Odum has led the NFL in special teams tackles. He’s racked up 32 of them in 21 games. But Odum hasn’t gotten to play much on defense for the 49ers. He’s logged only 38 snaps at safety in each of the past two seasons, mostly in mop-up duty.
That might change in 2024. It has definitely changed over the first 12 practices of this training camp. With Tashaun Gipson Sr. no longer on the team and Talanoa Hufanga still finishing his recovery from last season’s torn ACL, Odum has paired with J’Ayir Brown to form the 49ers’ first-string tandem at safety.
Odum has intercepted a handful of passes this camp, and he added two more to the tally during Wednesday’s grueling session. Both picks came off starting quarterback Brock Purdy. One throw was intended for running back Jordan Mason. The other one was directed for receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. Both missed high, and Odum was in perfect position to pounce. He returned the first one for a would-be touchdown. After the second, Odum trotted back to the sideline with two fingers in the air, reminding his teammates of both picks.
The 49ers expect Hufanga to return around the time of their joint practices with the New Orleans Saints, which are slated for August 15 and 16, but the quality of their safety play during this camp has them breathing easier about that potential timetable.
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There’s no rush — and coach Kyle Shanahan has no problem with giving Odum more in-game time at safety, even if that might take away from his focus on special teams.
“George is one of the best special teams players in the league, but if he’s the right guy at safety and he gives us the best chance when at safety, you never confuse those two,” Shanahan said last week. “You’ve got to go there first. You don’t want that to fully take away his role in special teams. So when you’re that special of a player, we’re going to try to find a way to put him on both.”
Brown has also played well this camp, delivering a few interceptions of his own. And rookie Malik Mustapha, a fourth-round draft pick out of Wake Forest, has flashed enough to make the 49ers optimistic about his chances to contribute on the second team at some point this season.
Just a few months ago, when matters at the position seemed more tenuous, the 49ers seemed very interested in adding a veteran safety. They reportedly hosted Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Blackmon, who were free agents at the time, at the facility. Jenkins, who ultimately signed the Seattle Seahawks, later said that the 49ers offered him a contract. Blackmon re-signed with the Colts.
But since then, Hufanga’s recovery has proceeded on schedule, Mustapha joined the team via the draft and Odum has delivered in camp. There’s no longer an acute need to fortify the position.
George Odum on 49ers rookie Malik Mustapha, who has impressed:
“Go watch his highlights. I watched ’em last night.”
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 3, 2024
Odum actually started a handful of games at safety for the Indianapolis Colts, the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2018. But since Odum signed with the 49ers in 2022, there’s only been significant playing time for him on special teams. Almost all of his DB work has had to come at practice.
“I’m patiently doing it every day,” Odum said last week. “The system is getting easier for me. I’m not making mistakes or anything, communicating more with Tig (that’s Brown’s nickname). Watching Hufanga the past two years, every time a call comes in, I pick it up from him.”
Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said Odum fixed a mistake he’d made earlier in the week on Wednesday. His misalignment had allowed an explosive play from the 49ers offense. That’s the biggest no-no of the safety position, which serves as the last line of defense.
But when such mistakes are eliminated — and Odum made this erasure on Wednesday — trust blossoms. That’s the key to playing time, which Odum strives to earn more of.
“He made a correction today about being in the post,” Sorensen said. “That was cool to see in that it’s not just the ability, it’s the comfort and the ability to still go and make the play.”
Odds & ends
• A long list of players missed Wednesday’s session, the longest of the week. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky (knee irritation) held kicks for Jake Moody, but did not otherwise participate. Running backs Christian McCaffrey (calf strain), Elijah Mitchell (hamstring strain) and Isaac Guerendo (hamstring strain), receiver Ricky Pearsall (shoulder), tight end Logan Thomas (hamstring strain), linebacker Fred Warner (foot irritation) and offensive lineman Spencer Burford (broken hand) were all out.
Warner said that his foot issue is “nothing major at all.” Running back Patrick Taylor Jr., linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, defensive end Sam Okuayinonu and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott all missed practice for undisclosed reasons.
• The 49ers waived rookie wide receiver Terique Owens, the son of Hall of Fame wideout Terrell Owens, with an injury designation. According to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Owens has a small fracture in his right hand that will keep him out several weeks. Owens is a raw prospect, but he’d started to flash with some big plays at camp — including two long touchdowns — last week.
The 49ers also released veteran safety Erik Harris. They signed receiver Jontre Kirklin and running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn to fill the two open roster spots. With the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans coming Saturday and McCaffrey, Mitchell and Guerendo all sidelined, the 49ers have needed running back depth. Vaughn and Matt Breida, now in his second stint with the 49ers, are both aboard.
• Wide receiver Deebo Samuel wouldn’t divulge his exact weight, but he did say that this is the lightest he’s been since entering the NFL in 2019. The last time Samuel entered camp notably light was 2021. Players and coaches coaches nicknamed him “skinny Deebo” that season, a nod to how good of shape Samuel was in. He went on to deliver an All-Pro season.
Over the first two weeks of this 2024 training camp, Samuel has shined.
(Photo of George Odum: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)
