The San Francisco 49ers released veteran linebacker Deion Jones on Sunday, ending a brief tenure that began less than a week earlier when the team acquired him in a trade from the New Orleans Saints.
Jones, 31, joined the 49ers last week in exchange for running back Zamir White. The move came as San Francisco managed injuries in its linebacker group during the final stages of the preseason. The release occurred as NFL teams trimmed rosters from 90 players to the regular-season limit of 53.
A native of New Orleans and a former standout at Louisiana State University, Jones was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, 52nd overall. He quickly established himself as a productive defensive player, starting 13 of 15 games as a rookie and recording 108 tackles along with three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
In 2017, Jones earned Pro Bowl honors after posting a career-high 138 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defensed while starting all 16 games for the Falcons. Over his first six seasons in Atlanta, he started 83 games and helped the team reach the Super Bowl in his rookie year. He totaled 11 interceptions during that stretch, showcasing strong coverage skills that defined much of his early career.
Across 10 NFL seasons, Jones has appeared in 128 regular-season games with 91 starts. He has accumulated 761 total tackles, 12 sacks, 13 interceptions for 384 return yards and five defensive touchdowns, 53 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
In the postseason, he has played in six games with five starts, adding 35 tackles, five passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble.
Jones spent time with several teams after leaving Atlanta, including the Cleveland Browns in 2022, the Carolina Panthers in 2023, a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills and two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2024 to 2025. Last season with Tampa Bay, he appeared in all 17 games primarily as a special teams contributor and reserve, recording 29 tackles.
He signed with his hometown Saints on Aug. 7 before the trade to San Francisco. The 49ers sought additional linebacker depth amid absences that included hamstring issues for some reserves, while reuniting Jones with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who coached him during five seasons in Atlanta.
San Francisco’s linebacker corps is led by Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, with several younger players and other veterans competing for backup and special teams roles. The roster deadline required difficult decisions across the league, and Jones’ short stay reflected the competitive nature of final cuts.
Jones’ career statistics highlight his durability and playmaking ability over a decade in the league. His 13 career interceptions and five defensive scores underscore a knack for creating turnovers, while his tackle totals demonstrate consistent production even as his role shifted toward special teams in recent years.
The release leaves Jones as a free agent once more, available to other teams seeking experienced linebacker depth or special teams contributions heading into the 2026 regular season. At 6-foot-1 and 222 pounds, he remains a known commodity with a proven track record of starting experience and big-play potential.
Teams often look to such veterans later in the season for injury replacements or practice squad elevations. Jones’ history of contributing in multiple schemes could appeal to clubs needing reliable depth behind established starters.
His time with the 49ers lasted from the Aug. 23 trade through the Aug. 30 roster reductions, a span of roughly one week that included preparation for the final preseason contest. The transaction was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jones leaves with a body of work that includes a Pro Bowl selection, significant starting experience and solid statistical contributions across more than 100 games. Those numbers position him as a player capable of providing immediate value if another opportunity arises.
