49ers news: Plenty of NFL trade deadline deals impact San Francisco
By Peter Panacy
49ers won’t have to face Derrick Henry in Week 16 vs. Titans
It might not be an NFL trade deadline deal of consequence. But the Tennessee Titans received brutal news on Monday after learning All-Pro running back Derrick Henry, a 2,000-yard rusher in 2000 who is easily leading the league in rush yards this season, suffered a broken foot during his team’s overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8.
Henry could potentially return very late in the year or even in the playoffs. Yet his recovery time effectively rules him out for when the 49ers travel east to take on the Titans on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.
Tennessee’s corresponding move was to sign 36-year-old veteran running back Adrian Peterson to close the gap, although the Niners have to feel a little better about not having to face Henry on a short week involving significant travel.
The Titans could have potentially traded for Colts running back Marlon Mack, who wants out after being buried on the depth chart behind a rusher San Francisco faced a lot two weeks ago, Jonathan Taylor. But inter-division trades are awfully rare.
One could scantly wonder if the 49ers dangled rookie running back Trey Sermon in a potential deal with the Titans, too, especially with another rookie, Elijah Mitchell, assuming all the first-string carries.
It doesn’t look like that was ever the case, though.