The Saints and 49ers found a deal that fits both sides, with New Orleans sending veteran linebacker Deion Jones to San Francisco in exchange for running back Zamir White, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday night.
For New Orleans, the move comes at a time when the backfield has been hit hard by injuries. The Saints are already without Alvin Kamara for at least the next month because of a sprained MCL, Audric Estime is dealing with an ankle issue and Devin Neal left Saturday’s preseason loss to the Rams with a hamstring injury. With the season closing in and the depth chart thinned out, the Saints had reason to act.
White gives them a body they can actually use right away. He signed a one-year deal with San Francisco in early August and saw plenty of work in Thursday night’s preseason win over the Chargers, finishing with a team-high 12 carries.
The production wasn’t pretty - 29 yards, or 2.4 yards per attempt - but the 26-year-old has shown more before. In four seasons with the Raiders, he posted career bests in 2023 with 451 rushing yards, 104 attempts and one touchdown.
San Francisco, meanwhile, had enough flexibility to move him. Christian McCaffrey returned to practice on Sunday after missing about two weeks with “tightness” in his leg, and the 49ers also have Sincere McCormick, who has led the team in rushing in each of its first two preseason games. With that kind of depth, White became expendable.
In Jones, the 49ers are getting a familiar veteran presence for their defense. He signed with New Orleans earlier this month and played in the team’s first two preseason games, recording four total tackles.
The 31-year-old was originally drafted by the Falcons in the second round in 2016, spent seven seasons in Atlanta and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2017. He’s now a 10-year NFL veteran who has also been with the Browns, Panthers and Bills.
The reunion matters too: Jones previously worked with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris for five seasons in Atlanta. He may not be the 100-tackle player he once was, but he adds experience to a linebacker room that already includes Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
That’s what makes this trade feel tidy for both teams. The Saints patch a glaring running back problem.
The 49ers take a veteran linebacker for a depth runner. If it clicks, both sides get exactly what they needed.
If it doesn’t, San Francisco gave up a back-end piece to take the swing.
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