The San Francisco 49ers have been hit hard by injuries once again this season, specifically on defense. Stars Fred Warner and Nick Bosa both suffered season-ending injuries before hitting the halfway mark of the year.
At 5-3 and in contention in a crowded NFC, many expected the 49ers to make a move ahead of the trade deadline on Nov. 4. And they delivered.
San Francisco has acquired New England Patriots defensive end Keion White for a pick swap in the 2026 NFL Draft, per multiple reports. The 49ers are reportedly sending a sixth-round pick to the Patriots in return for White and a seventh-round pick in the deal.
White had been inactive for the Patriots’ win last week over the Cleveland Browns.
New England drafted White in the second round, No. 46 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. After a quiet rookie season with just one sack, White burst on the scene in 2024 with four sacks in his first two games. He only had one over the following 15 matchups as he was in and out of the starting lineup.
The 26-year-old White started one game this season against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5 and has been a rotational player. He’s played 40.1% of snaps on defense.
San Francisco made the move to get White amid more injuries to their defensive line. Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos both missed the 49ers’ Week 8 game against the Houston Texans. During that matchup, rookie Alfred Collins and starter Sam Okuayinonu left the game with injuries.
With a new coaching staff in New England this year, White wasn’t as heavily featured in the rotation due to free agent acquisitions. Now he gets a fresh start in San Francisco.