The New Orleans Saints acquired running back Zamir White from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for linebacker Deion Jones.
The move adds a much-needed body to a Saints backfield that’s been hit hard by injuries throughout camp.
Why the Saints Needed This Trade
New Orleans is dealing with a genuine running back crisis.
Starter Alvin Kamara is expected to miss four to six weeks with a sprained MCL.
Devin Neal has battled a hamstring issue through camp and reinjured it Saturday against the Rams, forcing him out of that game.
Audric Estime is also dealing with an ankle injury and didn’t travel for the Rams game.
With Kendre Miller and Travis Etienne Jr. among the few healthy options left, head coach Kellen Moore’s plan for a deep committee backfield needed reinforcement fast.
White Joins the Saints
White had only just signed with San Francisco on Aug. 12 as the 49ers dealt with their own backfield injuries.
But Christian McCaffrey’s return to practice this week left White buried on the depth chart, making him expendable.
White spent his first four NFL seasons with the Raiders, posting career highs of 451 yards, 104 attempts and a touchdown in 2023.
He arrives in New Orleans as insurance behind Kamara whenever he returns.
Deion Jones Heads to San Francisco
Jones had signed with the Saints just two weeks earlier, on Aug. 7, and was widely viewed as unlikely to make New Orleans’ final roster behind an already established linebacker group.
He appeared in the Saints’ first two preseason games, recording four total tackles.
In San Francisco, Jones reunites with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who coached him for five seasons during his time with the Atlanta Falcons.
A 2016 second-round pick out of LSU, Jones made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and has totaled 761 career tackles, 13 interceptions and 12 sacks across stints with the Falcons, Browns, Panthers and Buccaneers.
What Comes Next
White gives the Saints an experienced body to lean on while Kamara, Neal and Estime work back to health.
For San Francisco, Jones adds a veteran voice to a linebacker room that already features Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, even as depth piece Jalen Graham deals with his own injury.
Both moves reflect teams making practical, short-term fixes just weeks before the regular season begins, rather than long-term additions at either position.
