The San Francisco 49ers acquired linebacker Deion Jones from the New Orleans Saints Sunday night in exchange for running back Zamir White, a clean swap that addresses short-term needs on both sides two weeks before the regular season.
The Saints are in running back emergency mode. Alvin Kamara suffered an MCL sprain last week and is out for at least a month. Audric Estime sprained his ankle in the first preseason game.
Devin Neal reinjured his hamstring Saturday. That is three of their top four backs unavailable.
White, who signed with the 49ers on August 12 and rushed 12 times for 29 yards in San Francisco's preseason opener, is heading to New Orleans where he will play immediately.
The 49ers get Jones, the 31-year-old former second-round pick who made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and spent seven seasons with the Falcons before stops in Carolina, Cleveland and Tampa Bay, back under defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who coached him in Atlanta. Jones reunites with a familiar system.
Christian McCaffrey returned to practice Sunday, making Zamir White expendable for San Francisco, which already has Sincere McCormick leading the preseason backfield.
Both teams get exactly what they need.