The 49ers went into the trade deadline talking about wide receiver help and pass-rush reinforcements. After Sunday’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders, though, a different position suddenly belongs in the conversation: cornerback.
Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green both had to leave the game with injuries, and that changes the picture for San Francisco even if only temporarily. Lenoir exited with a foot injury, while Green left after making his fourth interception of the season in the end zone and landing awkwardly, which led to a back injury.
The full severity of either issue is still unknown, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said both players were day-to-day.
That alone is enough to make general manager John Lynch at least check the market before Tuesday’s deadline.
The 49ers had to patch things together after the injuries, leaning on rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock, Siran Neal and Upton Stout. Neal is normally a safety and is used more on special teams, which only underscores how thin things got in the secondary. Brandon Codrington is also on the practice squad, and he has experience with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 and 2025, so he could be part of the answer if needed.
Still, outside of Stout, the current options don’t exactly scream confidence. That’s why San Francisco could look outside the building, and Jack Jones is one name that would at least make sense in a pinch. He was just released to make room for DeForest Buckner on the roster, and while Jones was cut after a rough outing against the Atlanta Falcons, he does know the defense.
If the 49ers go the trade route, a few cornerbacks could be on the radar. Riq Woolen of the Philadelphia Eagles is one possibility. The Eagles are 2-7, Woolen is in the final year of his deal, and he has not matched the level of his rookie season, when he had six interceptions, but he could be available.
Donte Jackson of the Los Angeles Chargers is another veteran to watch. He picked off four passes last year for the Chargers, and with his contract expiring, he could be a sensible rental if the Chargers finally decide to sell after their 0-8 start.
There’s also the long-shot dream case of Marcus Jones of the New England Patriots. He’s undersized, but he brings elite return value along with cornerback play, which would give San Francisco more than one way to use him. Even so, a deal for Jones looks highly unlikely because the Patriots have little reason to move him.
If the 49ers can’t land anyone before the deadline, they may still get some internal help soon. Veteran Nate Hobbs could be coming off IR, which would give them another option if the injuries linger.
Even with the cornerback situation suddenly in focus, pass rush still appears to be the likeliest target if San Francisco makes a move. But the injuries to Lenoir and Green are a clear reminder that depth matters everywhere, and that could push the 49ers to at least explore help in the secondary.
In Other News...
49ers Suddenly Have A Real Pass Rush Decision To Make
The 49ers came away with a win over the Raiders, but the pass rush did not look quite as disruptive as expected even with five turnovers on the board. That kind of uneven pressure can be easy to overlook in the moment, yet it matters for a defense that wants to keep dictating games the way San Francisco usually does.
One possible answer has surfaced elsewhere in the league, and it comes with a wrinkle worth watching. Will McDonald IV has become a name to monitor after reports of dissatisfaction with his role in New York, and the 49ers could have reason to explore whether he fits their defensive line picture after rookie Gracen Halton's injury. For now, the question is less about whether San Francisco could use another edge option and more about how realistic that pursuit might be. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Rivalry Put The 49ers In Focus For The Wrong Reason
The preseason meeting between the 49ers and Raiders at Levis Stadium was supposed to be about football, but the rivalry again spilled far beyond the field. Multiple brawls broke out among fans in the stands and in the parking lot, turning a familiar Bay Area matchup into a scene of repeated violent altercations.
The bad blood between the franchises has long meant extra security and a heightened edge around these games, yet the incidents still escalated before law enforcement could get them under control. Video from the stadium showed fans from both sides trading punches and struggling through the seats as others tried to step in, a reminder that this rivalry can still overshadow the game itself. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Cant Ignore Mykel Williams At A Brutal Time
Mykel Williams arrived in San Francisco with the kind of draft pedigree that usually buys a little patience, but the early returns have been hard to ignore. The 11th overall pick has spent much of his first season trying to carve out a pass-rushing identity, and even after returning from injury earlier this year, he still has not shown the kind of consistent disruption the 49ers expected when they made him such a high selection.
The bigger concern is that the edge-rushing conversation around the roster has not centered on Williams, with Keion White drawing more attention while the rookies role remains in flux. For a team that needs impact off the edge, the timing is becoming awkward, and the 49ers may soon have to decide how long they can keep waiting for Williams to turn draft status into production. [Read more 🡒]