The Indianapolis Colts traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round pick, the teams announced on Tuesday.
Buckner spent the first four years of his career in San Francisco after the 49ers selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft.
The 49ers traded him to the Colts in 2020 for a first-round selection. He then signed a four-year, $84-million extension and has been with Indianapolis for the last seven seasons.
Buckner has earned three Pro Bowl nominations and one first-team All-Pro nod during his career. The 32-year-old's 66.5 sacks since 2018 rank second among all defensive tackles, behind only Chris Jones, according to TruMedia.
The deal is Indianapolis' second trade Tuesday after sending Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for third- and fifth-round picks. Both Nelson and Buckner are on expiring contracts and are set to become unrestricted free agents in 2027.
Buckner has played over 81% of the Colts' defensive snaps this season, recording 31 tackles, 20 pressures, eight quarterback hits, and four sacks in seven games.
The 49ers are 6-1 heading into Week 8 after suffering their first loss of the season Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. They have a bye in Week 8, and their next contest is Nov. 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
