The San Francisco 49ers have been hit by injuries arguably harder than any other team in the NFL this season.
The team has had several impact players on injured reserve including tight end George Kittle (since Week 1), running back Patrick Taylor Jr., wide receivers Jacob Cowing and Trent Taylor, offensive linemen Ben Bartsch and Spencer Burford, defensive tackle Kevin Givens, and defensive end Tarron Jackson.
San Francisco has also been without quarterback Brock Purdy, receivers Jordan Watkins and Ricky Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings, and defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, for varying degrees of time, and they've lost linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa to season-ending injuries.
But despite having to rely on their depth way more than they'd like, the 49ers are 4-2 and tied for the NFC West lead. With their playoff hopes still very much alive, many have speculated the team could look to acquire a premier pass-rusher before the No. 4 trade deadline to help fill the enormous hole left by Bosa's injury.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus is in that camp, which is why he named the 49ers as a possible landing spot for New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.
"After an offseason chock with questions about his future in New York, Thibodeaux has showed signs of growth after the team's commitment to him," Locker wrote. "Through six games, his 71.4 overall PFF grade is his highest since his rookie season, and his 78.9 PFF run-defense grade is his best yet.
"… The Giants have seen a spark since turning to Jaxson Dart, but at 2-4 - and with the fifth-hardest remaining schedule prior to Week 6 - their playoff odds are slim to none. New York felt comfortable enough to pick up Thibodeaux's fifth-year option, but keeping him around in the long term with Abdul Carter and Brian Burns probably isn't the shrewdest. The former fifth overall pick would have plenty of fans around the league."
Six games into his fourth NFL season, Thibodeaux has flashed the game-wrecking potential that led to the Giants grabbing him in the top five of the of the 2022 draft.
The 24-year-old edge-rusher has 148 pressures, 92 hurries, 30 QB hits, 23.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries across 49 games, according to Pro Football Focus.
Thibodeaux is second on the Giants in sacks this season (2.5) to go along with 15 tackles, five tackles for loss, 22 pressures, 12 hurries, and five QB hits this season, per PFF.
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