Former New England Patriots defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale earned his way into a starting role over four seasons with the team. The veteran is now trying to earn at least one more chance to play in the league.
On Tuesday, he at least had an opportunity to try out. According to the NFL transaction wire, Ekuale worked out for the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers held tryouts for five different players including two defensive linemen. Besides Ekuale, veteran Larry Ogunjobi tried out for San Francisco.
Ekuale spent four seasons with the Patriots from 2021-24. He appeared in 25 games as a reserve lineman in his first three seasons. Then in 2024, he started all 16 contests in which he played.
Over his four-year stint with the Patriots, Ekuale registered 74 combined tackles, including six for loss. He also had eight quarterback hits, five sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble.
In 2024, he had 52 combined tackles, including two for loss, three quarterback hits and one sack.
Last season, Ekuale played seven games for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ex-Patriots Daniel Ekuale Tries out for San Francisco 49ers
Ekuale began his career as an undrafted free agent for the Cleveland Browns in 2018. He made the team’s practice squad but did receive a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
In 2019, he made his NFL debut with the Browns. Ekuale appeared in seven games, posting four combined tackles. One of those tackles was for a loss.
Ekuale moved on to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. He then signed with the Patriots ahead of the 2021 campaign.
The defensive lineman has played four times as many games with the Patriots than any other NFL team. His 41 contests in New England remain almost twice as many as what he’s played with his other three teams combined.
In additional to 41 regular season games, Ekuale’s only playoff appearance also came with the Patriots in 2021.
Last season, Ekuale played the first seven games of the regular season with the Steelers. But he then landed on injured reserve. About a month later, he received a second suspension for violating the league’s PED policy.
He hasn’t played since then and has been a free agent since March.
Patriots Defensive Line Entering Week 2
The Patriots just added a veteran defensive tackle in DaQuan Jones. With that in mind, the Patriots had an opportunity for a Ekuale reunion, but there didn’t seem to be any indications that was a possibility.
Ekuale played for two previous Patriots coaching regimes before Mike Vrabel arrived. He earned a role as a reserve under Bill Belichick and then earned a starting role while Jerod Mayo was head coach.
Ekuale didn’t return to the team when Vrabel became head coach.
If Ekuale signs with the 49ers, the Patriots will not see him during the regular season. San Francisco is not on New England’s schedule.
The Patriots, though, will host the Steelers in their home opener Sunday. Jones is expected to make his New England debut in the game.
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