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The San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints have agreed to a trade involving two veteran players who recently joined their respective teams.
San Francisco is acquiring linebacker Deion Jones from New Orleans in exchange for running back Zamir White, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move gives the Saints additional depth in the backfield while providing the 49ers with another experienced linebacker heading into the final weeks of the preseason.
Saints Add Running Back Depth
New Orleans had a clear need for another running back after injuries depleted the position during training camp.
Alvin Kamara will likely miss several weeks after suffering an MCL injury, while Audric Estime has been dealing with an ankle injury. Devin Neal has also battled a hamstring issue and aggravated it during Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Saints recently welcomed Kendre Miller back from a back injury, while offseason addition Travis Etienne Jr., Ty Chandler and C.J. Donaldson remain healthy.
White now gives New Orleans another experienced option as the team waits for Kamara and its other injured backs to return.
Zamir White Joins His Third Team
White, 26, signed with San Francisco earlier this month but faced an uphill battle to make the roster.
The 49ers had recently gotten Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black and Jordan James back from injuries, making White expendable as the team approached its roster decisions.
White joined the Las Vegas Raiders as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia. He spent his first four NFL seasons with the Raiders and appeared in 45 games, making nine starts.
He has 198 career carries for 736 yards and two touchdowns, along with 25 receptions for 152 yards.
White carried the ball 14 times for 30 yards across two preseason games with San Francisco.
49ers Add Experienced Linebacker
The 49ers, meanwhile, add a veteran linebacker in Jones, who provides both experience and a connection to defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
Jones, 31, signed with New Orleans earlier this month but was considered a long shot to make the roster because of the Saints’ established linebacker group.
San Francisco already has Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw projected as key starters, but injuries have created some additional depth concerns. Jalen Graham and Nick Martin have recently missed practice, creating a need for another experienced body heading into the final preseason game.
Jones Reunites With Raheem Morris
Jones spent the first six seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons, where Morris was part of the coaching staff.
Morris coached Jones in Atlanta from 2015 through 2020, including Jones’ breakout seasons with the Falcons.
The linebacker was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and quickly became one of Atlanta’s most productive defensive players. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2017 after recording a career-high 138 tackles and three interceptions.
Jones has since spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played all 17 games for Tampa Bay last season, primarily contributing as a reserve and special teams player.
Both Teams Address Roster Needs
The timing of the trade makes sense for both organizations, with teams approaching the deadline to trim their rosters from 90 players to 53.
The Saints needed another running back following Kamara’s injury, while White had little path to a roster spot with San Francisco’s injured backs returning.
For the 49ers, Jones provides valuable experience and reunites with a defensive coordinator who knows his game well.
Neither player had been with his respective team for long, but the trade gives both White and Jones an opportunity to contribute in situations where their new teams have immediate depth concerns.
