Tuesday afternoon was the close to the NFL Trade Deadline for the 2024 season. More than 15 different deals were made since Week 1 kicked off.
The San Francisco 49ers made one of them, although it was merely to bolster the defensive line with a rotational player, Khalil Davis, coming over from the Houston Texans for a seventh-round draft pick in 2026.
The Niners entered their Week 9 bye at 4-4, and they have seen a slew of injuries affect their offense: Running backs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, along with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall were all ruled out prior to the first snap of the season.
McCaffrey is expected back this weekend as the 49ers travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Pearsall has taken the field the last two games. Mitchell, however, was ruled out for the season, and star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is joining him on injured reserve.
As for the defense, this could have been the side of the ball to add another playmaker at the trade deadline, particularly within the secondary. Playoff-contending teams with aspirations to play in the Super Bowl often add a star cornerback or safety, just like the Baltimore Ravens did by grabbing corner Tre’Davious White from the Los Angeles Rams at the cost of a seventh-round pick swap.
Another NFC contender, the Washington Commanders, took cornerback Marshon Lattimore off the New Orleans Saints’ hands. After suffering a seventh loss in a row, NOLA unloaded its star defensive player for next to nothing.
Injuries have limited San Francisco’s defense, too. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is still ailing from the Achilles injury he suffered in the Super Bowl last February, while cornerback Ambry Thomas hit IR before the season started with an injury suffered prior to Week 1. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is out with a wrist injury, and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is dealing with a potential season-ending triceps setback.
In Week 2’s close loss on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco had no answer to contain big plays from wide receiver Justin Jefferson. The All-Pro torched the 49ers’ secondary for 133 yards and a touchdown on just four receptions.
Tutu Atwell, a wide receiver for the Rams, had a big day in their win over the Niners a week later. In the absence of fellow wideouts, Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua, Atwell still had 93 yards receiving.
It was the second week in a row the 49ers gave up at least 220 yards passing. They lost both games.
Current corners Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir could use some help breaking up the big plays to their opponents’ receivers, and in light of the tragic passing of Ward’s daughter, depth reinforcement could have been a priority at the deadline. And while rookie corner Renardo Green looks promising, adding an experienced playmaker would have been the smarter move.
San Francisco has the 10th best defense in terms of yards allowed a game. The only other NFC team giving up more than 315 yards is the Philadelphia Eagles. Three other teams better than the defending NFC champions are likely missing the playoffs this year.
The 49ers’ ability to limit their opponents’ run game has been the crutch of this defense, though. They allow just 105.8 rushing yards per contest which is sixth best in the league.
As for their passing defense, the Niners allow more than 200 yards on average per game. Their defense has given up 5.3 more points this year compared to last year’s strong number of 17.5 points.
