The San Francisco 49ers are such a perpetually injured team that they can't go one game without losing a key starter to some serious ailment. Even after a narrow win against the division rival Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, San Francisco received some awful news relating to pass-rusher Nick Bosa.
Bosa will miss the remainder of the 2025 season with a torn ACL, which now makes the second season in his pro career that was ended before October with an ACL injury. The 49ers will move ahead with Bryce Huff and rookie Mykel Williams as the starting edge rushers.
If the 49ers find themselves in a position to contend for yet another Super Bowl berth, look for general manager John Lynch to start looking at the trade market. Any one of these three players, all of whom are on rookie contracts, could help the Niners stay competitive and guard against future Bosa injuries.
3 young pass-rushers 49ers could trade for after Nick Bosa injury
3. Myles Murphy, Cincinnati Bengals
Murphy has been bitterly disappointing for Cincinnati, as his three sacks during his first two seasons were so brutal for the Bengals that they invested a first-round pick in Shemar Stewart to replace him. Perhaps all the former Clemson standout needs is a change of scenery, and coordinator Robert Saleh might be able to provide that for him.
Murphy might be appealing because he is not going to cost very much to acquire and he won't take snaps away from a player in Huff, who appears to have bounced back after returning to Saleh's defense. Some Saleh developmental magic could help Murphy finally take off.
2. Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins
The former first-round pick hasn't been the most dominant player in the last few seasons, but with some serious injury concerns and a very soft defense around him, he hasn't been put in a situation that will take advantage of his talents.
San Francisco might be the place for him.
Phillips has just one sack in his last seven games, but he did tally 22 in his first 42 career games when he was healthy.
If he can kick things up a notch for Miami in the next few weeks, look for the 49ers to make a run at him as they try to find some long-term security behind Bosa.
1. Kayvon Thiboedeaux, New York Giants
The Giants are so desperate to get No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter on the field that they are using him at middle linebacker on occasion. If New York wants to put an end to this charade, it can make Carter a full-time starter on the edge and trade the California native back to the West Coast.
Thibodeaux is still a very productive player with sack numbers that are right about on par with what a healthy Phillips can provide. While he will need a new contract and could take snaps away from Huff when Bosa returns, the constant injuries from No. 97 could lead to the Niners eyeing a more high-end trade candidate to supplement him.