The San Francisco 49ers have bolstered their depth with a Pro Bowl linebacker.
On Sunday, the 49ers traded running back Zamir White to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for veteran linebacker Deion Jones .
White's chances of making the final 53-man roster in San Francisco were close to nil after Christian McCaffrey , Kaelon Black and Jordan James each made a return from injury in the last week.
Deion Jones of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after winning an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Getty Images
Jones, who signed with the Saints earlier this month, is reunited with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris after playing under him in Atlanta .
The 31-year-old was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. Jones started 83 games for the Falcons over six seasons, making the Pro Bowl in 2017.
He's also spent time with the Carolina Panthers , Cleveland Browns and most recently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
The 49ers appear to be adding depth to a linebacker room led by Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw .
Niners linebacker Jalen Graham has missed the past couple of days of practice because of injury. Jones was unlikely to make the team in New Orleans , but the trade presents another opportunity for the veteran.
Deion Jones (45) of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates with teammates after forcing a fumble during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch (above) traded running back Zamir White to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones. Getty Images
The trade comes amid an unrelenting stream of off-the-field drama around the 49ers this summer.
Training camp began with the news of Kyle Shanahan's horrific car accident .
And with the NFL regular season just over two weeks away, 49ers owner Jed York was arrested over the weekend in Ohio on suspicion of engaging in prostitution.
