Zamir White Trade: Saints Get RB From 49ers

The Zamir White trade landed Sunday night. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the New Orleans Saints sent linebacker Deion Jones to the San Francisco 49ers for running back Zamir White. USA Today and NOLA.com matched the swap. It is a backfield patch. Alvin Kamara has an MCL injury and is out at least several weeks, Schefter's trade story said, and NBC Sports / Pro Football Talk wrote the sprained knee could sideline him for at least a month.

Audric Estime (ankle) did not travel Saturday for the preseason game against the Rams, ESPN reported. Devin Neal had returned from a hamstring, then reinjured it Saturday against the Rams. Kendre Miller had a back issue in camp and is back in the mix, NBC noted. White, 26, is extra depth with the 90-to-53 cut a week away.

Zamir White trade: 198 carries, 736 yards

White was a Raiders fourth-round pick in 2022. NOLA.com had him in 45 games with nine starts, 736 rushing yards on 198 attempts. The 49ers signed him in early August. CBS Sports dated the deal Aug. 12, a one-year contract at $1.2 million. ESPN said his roster odds in Santa Clara were already long after Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, and Jordan James returned from injury.

Jones is 31. He is a Jesuit High and New Orleans hometown product. NOLA.com wrote the Saints had signed him three weeks ago. He reunites with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, his coach in Atlanta from 2016 to 2020. He made the Pro Bowl in 2017. AP noted he spent the last two seasons with the Buccaneers. USA Today framed both sides as a Sunday swap of depth pieces.

Why New Orleans spent a linebacker on a running back

Kamara, Estime, and Neal all went down in a short window. ESPN called the room thin. White is not replacing Kamara. He is a veteran with nine NFL starts and 736 rushing yards. Jones was a long shot in a set Saints linebacker group, Schefter's sources said. San Francisco gets a veteran who knows Morris. New Orleans gets carries that were about to go to whoever was healthy.

CBS graded the Saints as adding a back who can see snaps early because Kamara is out. The 49ers gave up a depth running back after McCaffrey returned. That is the whole trade. White goes to the Saints. Jones goes west. Sunday night, per Schefter.

Zamir White trade FAQ

Who did the Saints trade for Zamir White? Linebacker Deion Jones, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, NOLA.com, and USA Today. Jones, 31, was a 2017 Pro Bowler with Atlanta and had signed with New Orleans three weeks ago.

Why did New Orleans need a running back? Kamara has an MCL injury and is out at least several weeks, ESPN reported. NBC Sports said at least a month. Estime (ankle) and Neal (hamstring) also went down. Miller is back from a back issue.

What are Zamir White's NFL rushing stats? NOLA.com listed 198 carries for 736 yards in 45 games with nine starts for Las Vegas. He signed with the 49ers on Aug. 12 for one year and $1.2 million, CBS reported.