The Indianapolis Colts continued their roster sell-off Tuesday, agreeing to send veteran defensive lineman DeForest Buckner back to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick.
The move comes ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10 and gives San Francisco a reunion with one of the cornerstone defenders from its late-2010s rise.
Buckner entered the league with the 49ers as a first-round selection in 2016. He spent four seasons in San Francisco before being dealt to Indianapolis prior to the 2020 campaign.
Colts make second Tuesday trade
Buckner’s departure was Indianapolis’ second veteran trade of the day. Earlier Tuesday, the Colts moved guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for two draft picks.
By dealing both Buckner and Nelson, Indianapolis has added draft capital while moving on from two established starters as the deadline approaches.
49ers bring Buckner back
For San Francisco, the acquisition restores a familiar presence along the defensive front. Buckner began his NFL career with the 49ers and now returns to the organization that drafted him nearly a decade ago.
