SANTA CLARA — Before we pack up for back-to-back 49ers road trips to Houston and New Jersey’s Meadowlands, let’s unpack The Faithful’s social-media questions in this Week 8 mailbag:

What adjectives best describe the 49ers season so far? And why did you choose these words? (@MrEd315)

Reforestation. When one tree falls, another is planted to sprout up and enhance the 49ers’ landscape. Or, if you want to play off the team name, they’re dredging for more gold.

When did Huff get hurt??? This is getting really absurd. (@mgibson81)

The 49ers’ injury train passed Absurd Depot weeks ago. Bryce Huff felt his hamstring pain over the final plays of Sunday’s 20-10 win, which he helped spark with a strip sack (team-high fourth sack this season) as well as another pressure that prompted intentional grounding before halftime.

Who replaces Huff? I suspect nobody. This is another huge loss and it continues every game. Takes away so much from the win. (@sfballfan)

With Nick Bosa lost for the season and Yetur Gross-Matos sidelined multiple games, the 49ers must add to their defensive end rotation. Mykel Williams, Sam Okuayinonu, and Trevis Gipson are the roster’s healthy options while practice-squad elevations could bring William Bradley-King and Robert Beal Jr. They have a combined 18 career sacks, including 11 from Gipson, who had seven on the 2021 Bears.

Do you think the Niners will go after a DE? And if so, a big name? (@ninerempire209)

Yes. A big name? They should keep pursuing one or more. No need to name-drop here. Any will suffice before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.

John Lynch has previously said that the team had to EARN any FO moves before the trade deadline. With the effort and results (Sunday), has the team done that? Will Lynch go shopping to bolster the roster soon? (@AZ9erholic)

Yes. Lynch and his crew have been working the trade market for weeks. They haven’t let such efforts go for naught in past years. As much as they’d like to bring in talent under contract through 2026, beggars can’t be choosers at this point — at 5-2 with deteriorating depth on the defensive line. Kyle Shanahan said Monday there is no greater urgency to make a trade. Maybe that’s because the urgency was there before Huff’s short-term injury.

Unless Brock is fully healthy why is he even practicing?! (@VinnieLevine29)

He resumed practicing last week but in limited fashion, as is the 49ers’ routine for players coming off injuries before springing them back into game action.

All for a toe? Mac Jones playing really banged up, and making plays. Purdy got paid to sit? (@ScottDH2310)

It’s a dangerous misconception to downplay turf toe injuries, one that’s ended some careers. The Bengals’ Joe Burrow is amid a three-month surgical repair for his. Purdy tried rallying in Week 4, only to aggravate his toe and shelve him the next three games and perhaps this Sunday’s. He’s rehabilitating yet also working out to stay in shape. Such is NFL life no matter how much you’re paid.

Is Brock’s injury worse than they’re letting on? They keep punting on his return. (@Kurt07829528)

If it were a significant ligament tear, Purdy likely would have headed for surgery, like Burrow. Instead, they’ve exercised caution so as not to aggravate it again. Jones’ excellent work as Purdy’s temp buys the 49ers more time for a full or safer recovery.

With two artificial-surface games coming (one of them at the Mother of Awful turf in NY) will they hold out Brock until the Rams game? (@acregue)

I asked coach Kyle Shanahan if those turf fields in Houston and technically New Jersey are factors, and he replied: “No, not that I’ve been told.” Purdy aggravated his toe on Levi’s Stadium’s grass in Week 4, so that could happen again anywhere.

Most pressing position that a trade is needed? (@nick_till32)

Other than the aforementioned plight at defensive end, the 49ers could seek a cornerback, an interior offensive lineman or a linebacker to cover for recent injuries.

If the 49ers trade for a player or two, who is in danger of being cut from the 53? Gip? Martinez? Neal? (@SFG_soccer)

Adrian Martinez is safe until Purdy is cleared and starting again. Gipson is needed at defensive end. Siran Neal has two tackles in 135 special-teams snaps. Perhaps the 49ers deem a safety (Jason Pinnock) or a running back (Isaac Guerendo) can be moved for a draft pick.

Nick Martin finally got into a game and on the stat sheet! What have you been hearing behind the scenes? I’m having flashbacks to all the “why aren’t we playing Trey Lance, he’s the future” to all of a sudden seeing how bad he was what the coaches were seeing in practice. (@telebears)

Martin, a third-round pick, played 10 special-teams snaps and assisted on a punt-coverage tackle. He worked exclusively at weak-side linebacker through the preseason, and he’s not usurping that role from Dee Winters. So it’s special teams duty until summoned as a defensive sub. Remember, he had a bad preseason debut but improved the next two exhibitions.

Do you think Aiyuk contributes this season? (@LoMed1978)

Yes. A second-half comeback was the plan, and it’s still anticipated. Brandon Aiyuk’s been working behind the scenes with morning conditioning drills. He’s needed, as is Ricky Pearsall, who could return soon from a three-game hiatus.

Will Kyle put Jake Brendel on IR? (@sf49erbob) Can Hennessy be here to stay please!?!?! (@rgough004)

Shanahan indicated Brendel’s hamstring will require a couple of weeks, so Matt Hennessy indeed looks in line for his first 49ers starts. After Hennessy took over Sunday night, Mac Jones noted how their center-quarterback combination was familiar from all their offseason work and scout-team work.

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Ha ha, this team is a joke with these injuries. Every damn game someone goes down! Who’s next?? (@CARLOakaNiner85)

No joke. And, please, no who’s-next gambling pool, unless you want that karma coming for you.