49ers Make Running Back Trade Weeks Before 2026 Season Kicks Off

The San Francisco 49ers have made a notable running back trade weeks ahead of the 2026 season's kickoff. In a move aimed at bolstering their depth at the position, the 49ers acquired veteran linebacker Deion Jones from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for running back Zamir White. This trade occurred as the Saints were dealing with the absence of their star running back Alvin Kamara, who will miss the initial month of the season due to an MCL injury.

Kellen Moore, the Saints' head coach, acknowledged the team's running back roster, which included players like Audric Estime, Devin Neal, Kendre Miller, Ty Chandler, and CJ Donaldson, along with the recently acquired Travis Etienne Jr. Moore expressed that this group would present challenges in sorting out positions, as all players were talented and capable of performing well on Sundays.

The trade is expected to provide the 49ers with additional opportunities for their linebacker, given the joint practices and games that will follow. Jones' career spanned six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, during which he started 83 games and made the Pro Bowl in 2017. Before joining the 49ers, he had also played for the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.