The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back a familiar face on defense, landing DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts in a deal that sends a 2027 fourth-round pick to Indy, according to ESPN.
It’s a reunion with the team that made Buckner the No. 7 overall pick in 2016. He spent his first four seasons in San Francisco, staying with the 49ers through 2019 before moving on to Indianapolis ahead of the 2020 season. Now the three-time Pro Bowler is headed back to Levi’s Stadium to reinforce a defensive front that already has plenty of talent.
Buckner leaves Indianapolis after another productive stretch. This season, he has posted 31 combined tackles, four sacks and three pass breakups.
Over his 11-year career, the 32-year-old has piled up 683 combined tackles, including 101 for a loss, along with 75.5 sacks, 31 pass deflections, nine forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and two touchdowns. He has started 153 of the 158 games he’s played, including all seven games so far this season.
The move gives San Francisco another proven interior presence alongside DT Osa Odighizuwa, DE Mykel Williams, LB Fred Warner and DE Nick Bosa, who has missed multiple games with a calf injury. The 49ers’ defense has been sharp across the board, allowing 299.3 total yards per game, fourth-best in the league. Their run defense has been especially stingy, giving up just 89.0 rushing yards per game, fifth-best in the league, and their three rushing touchdowns allowed are tied for best.
George Kittle made it clear he was pleased with the news on social media.
For the Colts, the trade is part of a much bigger shakeup. Indianapolis is 2-5 and sitting second in the AFC South after firing general manager Chris Ballard, and rumors had already started circulating that the team could make major moves as it shifts to new management. Tuesday turned into a busy day in Indianapolis, with the Colts also dealing Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks.
Across those two deals, Indianapolis added three draft picks - two in 2027 and one in 2028 - while clearing more than $17.7 million in salary cap space. Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs are also two Colts names who could still be moved before long.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are operating from a completely different place. They’re 6-1 and alone in first place in the NFC West, and their next game comes Nov. 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders, who are riding a four-game losing streak.
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