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San Francisco, California: 49ers Bring Back DeForest Buckner in Trade With the Colts

The Colts announced on Tuesday that they traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to San Francisco for a fourth round pick in the 2027 draft. Buckner, 32, was the 49ers first round pick in 2016 and returns during the team bye week.

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San Francisco, California: 49ers Bring Back DeForest Buckner in Trade With the Colts

Key points

  • The San Francisco 49ers have brought back defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the player they drafted seventh overall in 2016 and traded away four years later.
  • Buckner, 32, spent his first four seasons in San Francisco, from 2016 to 2019.
  • Over seven seasons with the Colts, Buckner totaled 47 sacks, 122 quarterback hits, 63 tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles and 20 passes batted down in 95 games, with 90 starts, according to the…

The San Francisco 49ers have brought back defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, the player they drafted seventh overall in 2016 and traded away four years later. The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday, Oct. 27 that they acquired a fourth round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft from San Francisco in exchange for Buckner. NBC Sports Bay Area reported the deal is pending a physical.

Buckner, 32, spent his first four seasons in San Francisco, from 2016 to 2019. He made the Pro Bowl in 2018 and helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV, which they lost 31 to 20 to Kansas City. In March 2020 the 49ers traded him to Indianapolis for a first round pick, the 13th overall selection, and the Colts signed him to a long term contract.

What Buckner did in Indianapolis

Over seven seasons with the Colts, Buckner totaled 47 sacks, 122 quarterback hits, 63 tackles for a loss, six forced fumbles and 20 passes batted down in 95 games, with 90 starts, according to the Colts. He earned first team AP All Pro honors in 2020 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2023.

He returned this season from season ending neck surgery on New Years Eve 2025. In seven games with Indianapolis this year he has 31 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, three passes defensed, one fumble recovery and four sacks, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. His career totals stand at 75 and a half sacks in 11 seasons.

Buckner is in the final year of his contract. He signed a two year, 46 million dollar extension with Indianapolis in April 2024 and has a 7.9 million dollar salary cap hit this season before he is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming offseason, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.

Why San Francisco made the move

San Francisco suffered its first loss of the season on Sunday, 29 to 20 to the Atlanta Falcons, and went into its bye week looking for help on the defensive line. The trade gives the 49ers a proven inside pass rusher who already knows the team and several of its players.

Tight end George Kittle, who played with Buckner from 2017 to 2019, posted a photo of himself with Buckner and fullback Kyle Juszczyk on X moments after the news broke, with the message DEFOOOOO THE BOYS ARE BACK.

The deal was the second trade of the day between Indianapolis and an NFC West team. Earlier on Tuesday the Colts sent guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a third round pick in 2027 and a fifth round pick in 2028. Indianapolis sits at 2 and 5 this season and has now traded two veteran starters in one day.

San Francisco is on its bye in Week 8. Buckner is expected to make his return in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, according to Niners Wire.

Timeline

  1. 2016San Francisco selects DeForest Buckner seventh overall in the NFL Draft. He plays four seasons for the 49ers and makes the Pro Bowl in 2018.
  2. 2020The 49ers trade Buckner to Indianapolis for a first round pick, the 13th overall selection. He later earns first team AP All Pro honors in 2020 with the Colts.
  3. Oct 27, 2026The Colts announce they traded Buckner back to San Francisco for a fourth round pick in the 2027 draft, hours after trading guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle.

Sources