The New Orleans Saints’ troubles did not stop with their disappointing 34-0 preseason defeat against the Los Angeles Rams. Plagued by an onslaught of injuries, the sudden depletion of the running back room forced the front office to part ways with one of their most recent offseason hires. The Saints traded veteran linebacker Deion Jones to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for running back Zamir White. This sudden roster shakeup was the direct result of a massive injury to the team’s top offensive weapon.
The sudden transaction materialized after Alvin Kamara suffered a significant knee injury. The star running back sustained an MCL sprain during a joint practice session with the Dallas Cowboys. Initial tests suggested that the five-time Pro Bowler would miss the entire season, but further evaluation revealed he will only need to rehabilitate for about a month. That multi-week absence immediately created an urgent need for another experienced runner in the backfield.
Kamara is coming off a difficult 2025 campaign where he recorded a career-low 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards while scoring only one touchdown. Despite that dip in production, he remains the franchise’s all-time leader with 7,250 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns across 126 appearances. His injury alone was devastating to the game plan, but the front office was also dealing with multiple other health setbacks at the exact same position.
The Saints’ running back room had already been decimated by injuries across the entire depth chart. Rookie Devin Neal injured his hamstring again during the preseason game against the Rams, while Kendre Miller is still rehabilitating from a torn ACL. That dire situation is exactly where White steps in to provide much-needed stability to the Saints’ offense. The incoming running back brings a solid professional resume to his new squad.
The 49ers originally signed White to a one-year, $1.2 million contract on August 12, 2026. Prior to his brief stint in San Francisco, he spent four years in the NFL as a running back for the Las Vegas Raiders. During his tenure with the Raiders, he played in 45 games, recording 736 rushing yards and two touchdowns while catching 25 passes for 152 yards. His addition provides crucial depth for the offense, allowing the coaching staff to execute their original backfield strategy alongside their biggest offseason acquisition.
New Orleans had already signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a major four-year, $48 million deal during the offseason with the intention of using a committee approach. White’s arrival gives offensive coordinator Kellen Moore another capable piece to rotate, preventing Etienne from being forced to carry the entire offensive load by himself. While the Saints addressed an urgent offensive need, the trade also aligned perfectly with San Francisco’s shifting roster priorities on the other side of the ball.
Why does the trade make sense for the San Francisco 49ers?
The 49ers initially added White because of their own backfield injury concerns. But their situation changed for the better when the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Christian McCaffrey, returned to practice. That reduced the urgency to keep White on the roster. And thus, the 49ers landed an experienced defensive veteran.
The Atlanta Falcons originally selected Jones in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2017 and spent seven highly productive seasons in Atlanta. He has also spent time with the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and the Carolina Panthers. Through his 10 years in the NFL, Jones has played 128 games, logging 761 tackles, 13 interceptions, 384 return yards, five forced fumbles, and five touchdowns. The Saints acquired him as a New Orleans native and LSU product for $1.3 million. But the homecoming stay lasted for just a couple of weeks. Yet, it’s all for the better.
Jones has a strong, pre-existing connection with the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris. After all, he played under him during his time with the Falcons. ESPN’s Adam Schefter highlighted this on X as he weighed in on the trade.
“Former Falcons LB Deion Jones reunites with 49ers DC Raheem Morris,” Schefter wrote. In a league where injuries can derail a season before it even begins, this swift transaction showcases exactly how quickly front offices must adapt to survive.
For New Orleans, White offers a crucial lifeline to a battered offensive backfield ahead of the regular season. Meanwhile, San Francisco successfully bolsters its defense with a familiar, veteran presence in Jones. Both newly acquired players will look to make an immediate impact for their respective franchises when the 2026 NFL regular season officially kicks off this September.