The San Francisco 49ers just left for their arduous journey across the Pacific Ocean to take on the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
And while some feel the Niners' decision to leave early may come back to bite them, others can't help but point out their obvious shortage of pass-rushers heading into the regular-season opener.
Nick Bosa just returned to practice after missing much of training camp after last year's ACL tear, Mykel Williams remains on the physically unable-to-perform (PUP) list after his ACL tear a year ago, and even reserve defensive end Sam Okuayinonu is going to miss the flight, thanks to a practice injury.
With Sam Okuayinonu getting hurt, the 49ers have three healthy DE on their 53-man roster, which includes Nick Bosa who didn't do team drills all summer.
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) September 3, 2026
Nick Bosa
Keion White
Romello Height
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Ogbo Okoronkwo will definitely be activated to the game day roster from the practice… pic.twitter.com/B09IjRBdfz
Seriously, the edge-rushing depth is razor thin.
But there is a solution. And it could come by the way of a veteran pass-rusher still available on the free-agent market, Leonard Floyd.
49ers need to get on the phone with Leonard Floyd right now
It's still a shock San Francisco hasn't considered making Floyd a bigger priority, given the preexisting lack of depth and injury problems. True, Floyd is about to turn 34 years old and is well removed from the pinnacle of his career.
That said, the 49ers are desperate. And Floyd would help ease that desperation to a great extent.
Floyd spent 2024 with the Niners before being let go halfway through a two-year deal in San Francisco's cost-cutting measures. He subsequently spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons under then-head coach Raheem Morris, who now helms the 49ers defense as coordinator.
And the two also crossed paths back with the Rams, too, meaning Morris is no stranger to Floyd's prowess.
True, while Floyd's 3.5 sacks in 2025 were the lowest in his career since 2019, merely getting a veteran presence familiar with the defensive scheme automatically boosts one of the Niners' biggest glaring weaknesses.
Plus, considering Floyd is still available on the eve of the regular-season kickoff, it'd be reasonable to assume he'd accept an awfully affordable contract—putting Floyd on the payroll wouldn't be an issue for San Francisco.
Now, would the 49ers act in time to get Floyd on an emergency flight over to Australia? That's another question.
But, leaving a week ahead of time would certainly give a little bit of wiggle room, and perhaps his mere presence on the roster would make Morris feel a bit better about his pass rush heading into an already-critical NFC West showdown against a top Super Bowl contender.
Unless the Niners are content with what they've got up front.
And let's face it: They shouldn't be.
