The San Francisco 49ers are going to get worse before they get better and that could start in Week 9. The 49ers got things moving at the NFL trade deadline by dealing away long-time tight end Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos. That was really only the beginning as the team now deals with numerous injuries at the running back position while Colin Kaepernick has also been benched heading into the game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Davis trade was only the beginning. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers are benching Kaepernick and will start Blaine Gabbert in Week 9 as the team sits at 2-6 on the season. Head coach Jim Tomsula told the media he was evaluating the roster and would shake things up if necessary and that is exactly what he did.
According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the 49ers are expected to be done with Kaepernick and the quarterback could be traded or released prior to April 1 when his 2016 salary becomes fully guaranteed. Keeping the quarterback off the field means he stays healthy for another team to take interest in. The 49ers will have more interest in the quarterback in the offseason rather than in the hours before the trade deadline approaches.
The benching of Kaepernick means Gabbert will start. Now the 49ers must determine who their running back will be. Reggie Bush is done for the season after tearing his ACL. According to the Sacramento Bee, Carlos Hyde might not be healthy to play in Week 9 as he deals with a foot injury. That leaves Mike Davis. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Davis has a fractured hand. The rookie running back has not been ruled out of Week 9 play, but it certainly looks like he might not be active for the game.
Rapoport writes that the 49ers were working out Ben Tate as an option. Tate has not been seen this season despite working out for several teams during the preseason and start of the year. However, the 49ers announced they signed Pierre Thomas to replace Bush along with potentially Hyde for the short-term. The move is low risk, high reward as Thomas is just as versatile as Bush.
The 49ers are also expected to bring back Jarryd Hayne after waiving him over the weekend. CSNBayArea.com is reporting that Hayne is returning with a spot open on the roster after the Davis trade. The team needs Hayne as their punt returned and now as a backup running back.
The 49ers offense could look bad on Sunday. The team will rely heavily on Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin who is not being traded at the deadline. Their run game might feature Davis with a broken hand or Tate who has not played all season.