Buckner Returns to the 49ers in Trade With Colts

On November 2, DeForest Buckner described his return to the San Francisco 49ers as a chance to reunite with the team that drafted him and pursue a Super Bowl title. San Francisco acquired the defensive tackle from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick, with a week remaining before the November 10 trade deadline.

Buckner said he asked to join the 49ers and had kept following the team during his six seasons away. He pointed to the familiar faces and the standard of play in San Francisco as reasons he wanted to return. When the trade came together, he said, he was overwhelmed and prayed.

The 49ers traded Buckner to Indianapolis in 2020 after reaching the Super Bowl. He was named to the All-Pro first team during his debut Colts season and appeared in all but two of 68 possible games during his first four years there. Indianapolis had one playoff appearance with him, a wild-card loss. The Colts were 2-6 this season before the trade.

Buckner arrives with four sacks this season, already the most on San Francisco’s roster. The team’s bye week gives him time to settle back in before playing. He said the reunion felt meaningful, but stressed that the team still had work ahead and that he planned to focus on improving week by week. General manager John Lynch was continuing to explore roster moves ahead of the deadline.