The Colts’ Week 6 loss to the previously winless Titans didn’t just sting in the moment. It set off a chain reaction that could reach all the way to San Francisco.
Indianapolis fired longtime general manager Chris Ballard the Monday after that defeat, and the fallout could push the Colts toward a full reset. If that happens, the 49ers should be ready to pounce. With the NFC West lead in hand, San Francisco has every reason to be aggressive before the NFL trade deadline in November, and John Lynch could find a few appealing options if Indianapolis starts dealing pieces away.
The biggest name is DeForest Buckner. Lynch’s decision to send Buckner to Indianapolis in 2020 still hangs over the franchise, and the 49ers have never truly replaced the 2016 first-round pick.
Buckner is 32, in the final year of his contract, and a return to San Francisco would give him another shot at contending. A deal would likely cost only a mid-round pick, and it would add another force to a defensive line that has already been a surprise strength despite all the injuries.
Buckner would be the kind of addition that turns a strong unit into a devastating one.
Quenton Nelson is another possibility, even if left guard is not the most obvious need on this roster. The 49ers’ offensive line has been better than expected, and second-year pro Connor Colby has outperformed expectations entering 2026.
Still, Nelson is a perennial Pro Bowl talent, and if San Francisco wanted to make a true push, he would fit that description. The move would probably be a short-term one, since it’s hard to see the 49ers extending him beyond this season with free agency ahead.
But for now, pairing Nelson with Trent Williams on the left side would give the line a punishing look.
Josh Downs is the least obvious fit, but he still has a path to matter. San Francisco is expected to get several injured receivers back soon, so adding another wideout does not jump out as a priority.
Even so, Downs brings value as a punt returner, and that could matter because the 49ers haven’t gotten top-tier production there, including from Jacob Cowing. Downs has averaged 8.5 yards per punt return this season, and his 5-foot-9 frame makes him a slot-only receiver.
But he has been productive in that role, with at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons, and his 289 yards this year keep him on pace for more of the same. If San Francisco’s receiver injuries linger, he would also give them a useful insurance policy.
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Commanders Fans Had Plenty To Say About One Pregame Performance
Before kickoff at Levis Stadium on Monday night, Train vocalist Pat Monahan handled the national anthem before the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers met under the prime-time lights. The matchup itself carried plenty of weight, with both teams coming in at 3-4, but the pregame moment quickly became a talking point for reasons unrelated to the standings.
Monahans rendition drew significant negative reaction on social media, where fans wasted little time weighing in on the performance. For a game that already had plenty at stake for both sides, the anthem became an unexpected early flashpoint and added another layer of chatter before the first snap. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Are Undefeated But This Start Is Not Making Them Comfortable
The 49ers are rolling through the early part of the season with six straight wins, a perfect record and the top spot in the NFC, but the mood around the building has stayed measured. San Francisco is also 3-0 in the NFC West after taking care of the Seahawks and Rams, the kind of division start that usually makes a team feel comfortably ahead of the pack.
Kyle Shanahan, Trent Williams and Fred Warner have all spoken about the way the team is approaching the run, and the tone has been more about focus than celebration. Even with the results piling up, there is a clear sense that this start has not fully eased the concerns inside the locker room, especially with the long season still ahead and the margins in recent games still feeling tighter than the record suggests. [Read more 🡒]
Ex-49ers Depth Piece Suddenly Became A Much Bigger NFL Story
Jordan Elliotts stint with the Titans ended almost as quickly as it began, and the reason has turned him into a much bigger league-wide story than the former 49ers depth piece usually draws. Tennessee released him after an incident at the team facility involving a firearm in his car, and the Titans made clear the move came after a violation of NFL rules on possessing a gun on team property.
The situation only became more notable when Robert Saleh addressed it, calling it a lapse in judgment while still voicing support for Elliott. Saleh also nudged other teams to take a hard look at him, which leaves the attention less on the dismissal itself and more on whether another locker room is willing to give him a second chance after such a messy episode. [Read more 🡒]