49ers lose Joe Staley to leg injury, have replacement options

No. 2: Bringing in Another Body

The other option the Niners have is to look for help elsewhere. This could be done either through free agency or a trade.

While there are no prominent free-agent left tackles the Niners could sign, they should certainly be looking to bring in some experienced help; expect to see them sign someone in the next couple of days.

If the Niners really want to bring in a player of Staley’s caliber, they’ll have to do so through a trade. The most prominent offensive line trade target available is Trent Williams, of the Washington Redskins. Williams has been to seven straight Pro Bowls, and is widely considered one of the best left tackles in the league.

San Francisco 49ers

Williams has been holding out for a new contract, and does not seem to be planning on returning anytime soon, as he has accumulated nearly $2 million in fines. He is certainly the name all 49ers fans will be thinking when they consider potential trades to replace Staley.

The problem is Williams will not be available cheap. Word on the street is that the Redskins want at least a first-round pick for him. And the Niners would likely have to sign him to a new deal. But, I think a trade could be worked out.

The Redskins are in need of a running back, after placing Darius Guice on injured reserve.

After Sunday’s game, it seems like the Niners have plenty of depth at running back. Jeff Wilson Jr, who had two touchdowns in Cincinnati, has proven he is too good to go back to the practice squad after Tevin Coleman‘s return. The Niners certainly seem to have a successful run game no matter who is in at the position, so they should be able to let one of them go to bring in Williams, along with some draft picks as part of the package with a running back.

However, if the Niners were to bring in Williams, it would lead to plenty of additional problems. Mainly, what to do when Staley comes back in eight weeks? Staley has stated he wants to retire a Niner, and he has done enough for this franchise that they certainly owe him that. But bringing in Williams would likely mark the end of Staley’s time in San Francisco, and it seems like he could play a few more years.

Because of this, I think this the Niners making a move for Williams seems unlikely, if Staley’s injury will truly only keep him out for eight weeks.

While it is possible, I think they will go with a more short-term solution.

While Williams would certainly be the splashiest and most fan-pleasing option, Niners will likely stick with Skule, while bringing in a less-expensive left tackle, via either free agency or a less-blockbuster trade.

All in all, they will have to figure out something to protect Jimmy Garoppolo until Staley can get healthy again.