The San Francisco 49ers made a late addition before the NFL trade deadline, acquiring defensive tackle Khalil Davis from the Houston Texans in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round draft pick. While not a blockbuster move, it reflects the team's confidence that key reinforcements will come from players returning from injury.
General manager John Lynch recently tempered expectations for a high-profile acquisition, noting that nothing significant was imminent and acknowledging the team might have set the bar high with past deadline moves.
"I think there's this interesting expectation, because we've done them so much, that every year you do it, and that's not the case," Lynch said. "You do it when it makes sense. It seems like it's made sense a lot, and it has helped our team, I will say that."
For the 49ers, other moves apparently didn't align with their current vision. The 49ers have significant salary cap space, so throwing money at a short-term solution wouldn't have been a big problem. However, much of the cash is earmarked for the future as the team prepares for less roster flexibility with quarterback Brock Purdy's impending contract extension on the horizon.
Instead, the 49ers will rely on the players poised to return from injuries. The biggest example of that would be the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, running back Christian McCaffrey. He had his practice window opened this week. McCaffrey, who has yet to play this season due to Achilles tendinitis, could be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I haven't heard a single setback," ESPN insider Adam Schefter said this week of McCaffrey. "I haven't heard that there's been any issues. I haven't heard that there's any complications. So as long as there is no red flags, and that continues on, then I would think that he's going to play on Sunday against the Buccaneers, as long as there's no setbacks."
Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano's practice window has also been opened, and wide receiver Jauan Jennings is gearing up for a return after missing two games with a hip injury—a timely boost given the season-ending injury to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
On the defensive side, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos appears close to returning, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles during the Super Bowl in February, was spotted by teammates working out during Monday's light bonus practice. Safety Talanoa Hufanga might also be available soon, and if the 49ers make a deep playoff run, even defensive tackle Javon Hargrave could make a comeback.
"I do look at that injury list and say, 'Hey, we've got a chance. … We've got a chance to get a lot of these guys back, and that can buoy our team,'" Lynch said last week. "And that's as good as any trade we could make because these guys are familiar with what we do [and] how we do it."