The Colts are getting a major boost on defense just in time for a high-stakes matchup against the 49ers. Star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has officially been activated from injured reserve and is set to suit up tonight against his former team-a storyline that practically writes itself.
Buckner hasn’t played since early November due to a neck injury, so his return is not just timely, it’s critical. The Colts’ defense has held its own in his absence, but getting a player of Buckner’s caliber back on the field changes the equation entirely. He’s the kind of interior disruptor who can wreck a game plan from the inside out, and against a 49ers offense that thrives on rhythm and timing, that presence could be a game-changer.
To make room on the roster, the Colts waived quarterback Brett Rypien. It’s a calculated move, considering the team’s quarterback situation has been in flux for much of the season. But with Buckner healthy and ready to go, the priority was clear: bolster the defensive line.
Indianapolis also elevated wide receiver Coleman Owen and offensive lineman Josh Sills from the practice squad. Owen gives the Colts some added depth in a receiving corps that’s been banged up throughout the year, while Sills provides insurance up front-never a bad idea when you’re facing a physical 49ers front seven.
For Buckner, this game carries more than the usual weight. Drafted by San Francisco in the first round back in 2016, he played four seasons with the Niners before being traded to Indianapolis in 2020 for a first-round pick.
The Colts wasted no time locking him up long-term, handing him a four-year, $84 million extension. He later inked a two-year, $46 million deal to stay in Indy, a testament to just how valuable he is to this defense.
And he’s lived up to that value. In just nine games this season before the injury, Buckner racked up 42 tackles, four sacks, and nine tackles for loss. Those aren’t just solid numbers-they’re impact plays, the kind that show up on film and shift momentum in real time.
At 31, Buckner is still playing at a high level, anchoring the interior with a mix of power, technique, and veteran savvy. His return tonight could tilt the balance in what’s expected to be a physical, tightly contested battle. For a Colts team still fighting to solidify its playoff position, getting Buckner back now is more than just good timing-it’s a potential turning point.