Saints swap linebacker for running back as injury crisis reshapes roster
New Orleans acquires Zamir White from San Francisco to address a depleted backfield, while the 49ers secure additional linebacker depth.
The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers have finalised a player-for-player trade as the second week of the NFL preseason concluded. The transaction, reported by ESPN, sees the Saints send linebacker Deion Jones to San Francisco in exchange for running back Zamir White. The move is a direct response to immediate roster needs, particularly for New Orleans, which is navigating a significant injury crisis in its backfield.
The urgency for the Saints is driven by the unavailability of multiple running back options. No. 2 running back Alvin Kamara is currently nursing a sprained MCL, while Devin Neal aggravated a hamstring injury during Saturday’s preseason game. Additionally, Audric Estime suffered an ankle injury in the preseason opener. These setbacks have left the team without its second, fourth, and fifth options on the unofficial depth chart, prompting the acquisition of White to stabilise the group.
White had signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the 49ers less than two weeks prior to the trade. He was previously projected to sit on the lower rungs of San Francisco’s depth chart, having spent the first four years of his career with the Las Vegas Raiders. In that time, he accumulated 736 rushing yards over 45 games and has never played a snap outside of Las Vegas. For the Saints, adding White provides a viable option to see playing time early in the campaign without taking on additional salary.
In return, the 49ers acquire Jones, who joined the Saints on 7 August on a one-year, $1.3 million deal. Jones was listed as a fourth-teamer and a cut candidate for New Orleans, making him a low-cost asset for the trade. Although he was an every-week starter for the Atlanta Falcons for his first six professional seasons, Jones has filled smaller roles across three different teams over the last four years, most recently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he recorded 29 tackles in 17 games.
For San Francisco, the move addresses a lack of linebacker depth, as the team had only Fred Warner and Tatum Bethune available prior to the transaction. Jones is expected to fit the role of a third option, though he may compete with Bethune for the primary backup position. Bethune made eight starts in 2025 when Warner suffered a severe ankle injury, ensuring he remains a relevant figure in the team’s plans.
The trade also has implications for the Saints’ starting lineup. With Kamara’s injury, Travis Etienne is expected to take firm command of the No. 1 running back role if the absence carries into the regular season. The acquisition of White allows the Saints to keep their running back group afloat through the end of training camp, providing a safety net should further injuries occur.
