Jim Harbaugh Has No Comment On Ahmad Brooks Rumors

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh refuses to comment on rumors that the team was close to trading linebacker Ahmad Brooks before the deadline.

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Has linebacker Ahmad Brooks become expendable for the Niners? If the rumors that he was close to being dealt to the Cleveland Browns before the deadline are true, the answer would seem to be yes. The emergence of rookie linebacker Aaron Lynch and the return of Aldon Smith from suspension seems to support that.

"“No, no, I don’t have any comment on that,” Harbaugh said in a story for ESPN.com. “As always, no comment on those things. It would be second-hand, and I don’t have the specific knowledge.”"

Of course, Harbaugh himself was linked to a trade with the Browns earlier in year. It was denied by both the Niners and Harbaugh, but not by the Browns.

Ahmad Brooks has 14 tackles through eight games and three sacks, which ties him for first within the team with defensive end Justin Smith.

The Niners are preparing to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. A replay of a game the Niners played last year that had pivotal ramifications on their season. It ended with a loss when Ahmad Brooks clotheslined Saints quarterback Drew Brees with three minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Niners clinging to a three point lead. The Niners recovered a fumble on that play, only to have it called back when Brooks was flagged for unnecessary roughness. The Saints continued their drive for a tying field goal and then the winning field goal in the next drive.

To put it in perspective, had the Niners won that game, they would have had home field advantage in the playoffs last year instead of the division rival, and eventual Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks.

Obviously the Niners are hoping things go more their way on Sunday.

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