On the final day of personnel switcheroo for the 2021 NFL season, Houston Texans have traded young pass-rusher Charles Omenihu to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a future late-round pick on Tuesday. The former fifth-rounder has been an intriguing option on the trade market for weeks.   

Meanwhile, according to ESPN reports, hours before the Kansas City Chiefs secured the deal for outside linebacker Melvin Ingram from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the AFC West club had made a move to talk about possibly acquiring defensive end Omenihu from the Texans. However, he finally landed a move to the Texans. 

Omenihu has appeared in six games this season, two of which he started. In Weeks 4-5, the Texans sidelined Omenihu and replaced him with defensive end Jordan Jenkins. Omenihu has 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits this season. It’s hardly unexpected that the Texans have opted to trade him, given that they’re largely done with the season.

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Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith told reporters on October 28 that it was simply a “numbers game” as to why the former 2019 fifth-round pick from Texas would be inactive for two straight games this season, USA Today reported.

“Chuck (Omenihu) has been doing a good job,” said Smith. “It’s just the numbers hadn’t allowed him to play. It worked out that way for him this week, but our entire defensive line played pretty good last week.”

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Part of the reason might be because the 6-5, 280-pound defensive lineman, who can play both inside and outside, is on the market. As Houston continues its slow journey back to the top of the AFC South, general manager Nick Caserio is anxious about draught selections.

The 49ers believe they still have a chance to make the playoffs, and they’re hopeful Omenihu can help them get there.