SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a departure from their usual strategy during the trade deadline, the San Francisco 49ers have opted for a more restrained approach this season. Under the direction of coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the team has previously been known for making significant moves to enhance their roster for playoff pushes. However, this year, they concluded the deadline by acquiring just a backup defensive tackle.
“We don’t make big trades just for the sake of making them,” Shanahan explained. “We carefully evaluate the risks and benefits each season. While we’ve made impactful trades in previous years, this time around, nothing presented a substantial risk that we felt was warranted, but we do believe we improved our team with the additions we made.”
The 49ers’ latest transaction was modest compared to prior seasons, which saw the team bring in notable talents such as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, receiver Emmanuel Sanders, and running back Christian McCaffrey. This time, they sent a seventh-round pick in the 2026 draft to the Houston Texans to obtain backup defensive tackle Khalil Davis. They also added two experienced players to their practice squad: safety Tashaun Gipson and receiver Russell Gage.
This season, the 49ers (4-4) are counting on the return of players from injury to boost their performance, particularly after struggling in several prior games before taking a break last week. McCaffrey made his return to practice on Monday following a lengthy absence due to Achilles tendinitis. The team also welcomed back defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano from knee injuries, with hopes of getting linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga back on the field before season’s end.
Among these, McCaffrey stands out as the key player, having earned the AP Offensive Player of the Year award last season. Shanahan confirmed that McCaffrey is expected to participate in Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay, provided he has a successful week of practice without any setbacks. “He looks good,” said defensive end Nick Bosa, emphasizing that while they shouldn’t overload McCaffrey too soon, his return is invaluable to the team’s success.
Last season, McCaffrey topped the league with an impressive 2,023 total yards from scrimmage and shared the lead with 21 touchdowns, significantly contributing to San Francisco’s Super Bowl campaign. After missing 23 games in his penultimate two seasons with the Carolina Panthers due to injuries, McCaffrey has remained largely healthy over the past two seasons, missing only one game — a non-essential Week 18 match last year due to a minor calf issue. He recorded an impressive 798 combined touches in regular season and playoff action, marking one of the highest totals in a two-year period over the past decade.
Despite concerns about the high demands placed on McCaffrey previously, Shanahan does not believe that workload led to his current injury and is careful not to restrict his participation upon return. “I don’t believe that’s a factor, and I don’t think he does either,” the coach stated. “Injuries can happen to anyone at any time. While we need to monitor his conditioning closely as he returns, we shouldn’t connect past numbers to future injuries.”
In a somber note, cornerback Charvarius Ward is currently away from the team after the tragic loss of his one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy, who had been facing significant heart issues since her birth. Shanahan reported that Ward is in Dallas for the memorial service, and there is no specific timeline for his return to the squad. “We’re supportive of him and his timeline,” Shanahan remarked.
In other news, defensive lineman Kevin Givens (groin) and wide receiver Chris Conley (hamstring) missed practice sessions, while kicker Jake Moody (ankle), wide receivers Jauan Jennings (hip) and Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique), along with punter Mitch Wishnowsky (back), were limited participants. Additionally, wide receiver Malik Turner has been released from the practice squad.