49ers trade Davis to Broncos: After 10 seasons in San Francisco, Vernon Davis will have a new home in Denver after the 49ers traded the 31-year-old to the Broncos.
Along with the tight end, the 49ers sent a 2016 seventh-round draft pick in return for the Broncos' 2016 and 2017 sixth-round pick.
"We're excited to add Vernon to the roster," Broncos general manager John Elway said, via ESPN. "He's a guy that adds great experience, great speed. [He has] been a team leader for the Niners for a long time. He'll be a great addition, a big weapon for us because of the speed that he has."
The two-time Pro Bowler missed two games this season because of a knee injury, but has seen his playing time diminish since his return in the wake of the team's struggles. Over his 10-year career, Davis has racked up 441 receptions for 5,640 yards and 55 touchdowns.
The acquisition of Davis will give Peyton Manning another big weapon to compliment Demaryius Thomas in the Broncos' passing game.
Kaepernick benched for Blaine Gabbert: Colin Kaepernick hit a new low Monday when it was announced that he would be benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert.
Gabbert will start for the 49ers when they take on the Falcons in San Francisco Sunday. The 26-year-old has played in just four games since 2012. In 2014 he attempted just seven passes.
In response to the benching, head coach Jim Tomsula explained that the team is "evaluating everything" at the midway point of the season. The 2-6 49ers and Kapernick have struggled mightily this season as they have scored less than 10 points four times through eight games.
On the season, Kaepernick is 144-of-243 passing (59.3 percent) for 1,615 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Titans fire head coach Whisenhunt: The Titans announced Tuesday that they have fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt after the team's 1-6 start.
Tight ends coach Mike Mularkey has been promoted as the team's interim head coach.
"After thoughtful consideration, the decision has been made to relieve Ken Whisenhunt of his head coaching duties," Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement, via ESPN. "We have expected more progress on the field, and I felt it was time to move in a different direction. I would like to thank Ken for his efforts with our team, as he worked very hard to try to move us forward."
The Titans had gone 3-20 under Whisenhunt after he signed a five-year contract prior to the 2014 season.
"I'm very surprised," Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard said, via ESPN. "I felt 'Wiz' had a good relationship with the players and he kept all of us working hard to try and turn things around here."
After winning their season opener against the Buccaneers, the Titans have lost six straight games and have lost 12-straight against AFC opponents.
"Our win-loss total is not good so no matter what I say, it's not going to be good enough and you know all I can do is tell you we're going to work hard to swing it back the other way," Whisenhunt said Monday before the team announced his firing, via ESPN.
The Titans and Whisenhunt were hopeful that 2015 would be a year of improvement following the team's 2-14 2014 campaign. They drafted Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick in this year's draft, but the rookie has not played in the team's last two games due to injury.
