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Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have maintained that they will inquire about a potentially available player if he could help the 49ers.
Le’Veon Bell certainly qualifies. The two-time first-team All-Pro running back is in the middle of a lengthy hold out with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reports have surfaced that they are open to trading Bell.
The 49ers and New York Jets have reportedly each placed an “exploratory call” to the Steelers, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.
“Nothing has advanced beyond a preliminary stage and San Francisco’s interest is likely mitigated by the season-ending injury to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo,” La Canfora wrote. The trade deadline is about a month away, and the “Steelers are not in any rush to deal Bell,” according to La Canfora.
The 49ers have endured one brutal injury after the next in the early going of the 2018 season. First, running back Jerick McKinnon tore his ACL in the days leading up to the season opener, ending his first season with the 49ers. Then Garoppolo tore his ACL in Week 3. Cornerback Richard Sherman missed Sunday’s Week-4 matchup with a calf injury. And receiver Dante Pettis and left tackle Joe Staley both left the game with knee injuries.
Matt Breida has stepped into McKinnon’s role and shined, leading the NFL with 274 rushing yards after three weeks. Bell has set the standard at the position throughout recent years, compiling at least 1,884 total yards in each of the past two seasons.
