Halton Injury Could Prompt 49ers to Add Defensive Line Help

The San Francisco 49ers may reconsider their trade-deadline plans after defensive tackle Gracen Halton fractured his ankle in Sunday’s win over the Raiders. The injury will end his season, leaving general manager John Lynch with another reason to consider adding help along the defensive line before the November 10 deadline.

San Francisco had already made a major move by trading for DeForest Buckner two weeks before the deadline. Halton’s absence could nevertheless prompt Lynch to make calls about the position, as injuries continue to affect the team.

A wide receiver had appeared to be the likeliest trade target. Three pass-catchers—Evans, Samuel and Kirk—were unavailable when the 49ers met the Raiders. Evans has an Achilles tendon injury that may sideline him for weeks.

San Francisco is 7-1 and leads the NFC West, but the injuries have complicated the team’s outlook. Its Super Bowl hopes appeared less promising as more players were lost to injury. Lynch could now have several needs to weigh before the deadline, including whether to seek further defensive-line depth after Buckner’s return.