As long as the football season is going on for the San Francisco 49ers, so are the injuries. Over the past few years, the current NFC West leaders have seen more players go down than they would have liked.
Last season, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL weeks after signing his contract extension. This year, both defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner are out for the year before the NFL trade deadline.
The Niners enter Week 7 at 4-2 with multiple games against teams with sub-.500 records. Thus, San Francisco has a solid chance to maintain its current position in both the NFC West (3-0) and the conference, overall.
What 2 positions need the most attention for San Francisco?
With Warner going down and the depth chart looking a little thin at linebacker, going after a replacement seems like a no-brainer. Names like Demario Davis and Azeez Al-Shaair have been discussed.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan may have to give more snaps to rookie Nick Martin with Warner down, too, despite the first-year pro being inactive the first six weeks.
However, the linebacker position isn't the only area of concern.
General manager John Lynch may want to work his magic once again. Three seasons ago, Lynch brought in running back Christian McCaffrey midseason, making it one of the most successful transactions in the 49ers' history.
But McCaffrey and the rushing attack has not produced much this year, considering the offense only recorded its first rushing touchdown of the season in Week 6. In addition to the offensive line struggling to create holes for a soft run game, it did not protect quarterback Mac Jones that same week, giving up six sacks.
Where can the 49ers get both a linebacker and an offensive lineman from?
If a team is willing to part ways with its head coach six weeks in after going just 1-5, surely it'll be willing to listen to offers on some of its players.
Edge Arden Key and offensive tackle Olisaemeka Udoh of the free-falling Tennessee Titans could be the next midseason acquisition for the 49ers, particularly after Tennessee dismissed head coach Brian Callahan.
Key is in the first year of a three-year deal, but it's relatively affordable at about $7 million for both 2026 and 2027. With the return of Aiyuk forthcoming, San Francisco has a wide receiver or two who are expendable for the Titans to build around their rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Plus, any late-round draft picks may be vital for Tennessee to stockpile with hopes for the future.
The 29-year-old edge rusher has played for the 49ers before. His lone season with San Francisco came in 2021, after starting his NFL career across the Bay Area with the Oakland Raiders, and Key notched what was then a career-best 6.5 sacks donning the red and gold.
Udoh is more than eight years younger than veteran left tackle Trent Williams. The Titans lineman is playing on a one-year deal worth $1.17 million and is a free agent next season, both making him a viable and lucrative option to add to the Niners roster.
Given San Francisco's injuries to the defense and struggles piling up on the offensive line, trading for Key and Udoh fill both voids. A pair of veterans from a bottom-feeding AFC South team could fix a couple of the five-time Super Bowl champion's woes.
Let's hope that the 49ers are buyers and the Titans are selling.
That way San Francisco fans can buy tickets to the playoffs when their team is selling them.