49ers trade 2027 sixth-round pick for Keenan Allen
San Francisco adds the 34-year-old receiver after injuries affected its receiving corps; Allen had 40 catches for Indianapolis this season.
The San Francisco 49ers acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 10, giving up a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft. ESPN and SB Nation reported the deal came before the NFL trade deadline, which passed at 4 p.m. ET that day, as San Francisco sought help for a receiver group affected by injuries.
- San Francisco sent Indianapolis a 2027 sixth-round selection for Allen.
- The 34-year-old had 40 catches, 351 yards and one touchdown for the Colts this season.
- The 49ers still needed a roster move to make room for Allen, and his availability for the next game was not confirmed.
Why the 49ers added a receiver
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported that injuries had made the 49ers’ need at receiver apparent through much of the season. Ricky Pearsall went on injured reserve during training camp for knee surgery. ESPN also listed Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., Demarcus Robinson, De’Zhaun Stribling and Christian Kirk among receivers who had missed games or time with injuries. Robinson had returned from injured reserve the week before ESPN’s report, while Samuel was set to return to practice Wednesday.
Allen led Indianapolis with 40 receptions, according to ESPN and SB Nation writer Kyle Posey. His 351 yards and one touchdown came through 2026; ESPN described him as a six-time Pro Bowler with 1,095 career receptions, eighth most in NFL history at the time. The 49ers add a veteran with a substantial receiving record while the team manages absences in its own group.
Allen’s production and the next roster step
Posey reported Allen ran 26% of his routes from the slot for the Colts. On targets traveling fewer than 10 air yards, he caught 31 of 38 for 230 yards and a touchdown. Those figures describe his Indianapolis season; they do not establish how San Francisco will use him.
What it means
The trade gives quarterback Brock Purdy another experienced receiving option as San Francisco navigates injuries. It was the second deal between the 49ers and Colts in three weeks: San Francisco acquired defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from Indianapolis on Oct. 27, ESPN reported. Allen had faced Dallas in Week 9, catching four passes for 26 yards; ESPN said he could face the Cowboys again in Week 10 if available. The team still had to create a roster spot for him, and his availability for that game was not confirmed in ESPN’s report.
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What this story rests on
3 sources from 2 organisations: 2 broadcasters, 1 news outlet.
- 1Keenan Allen is the newest member of the 49ersSB Nation (republished by Yahoo Sports) · sports.yahoo.comNews outlet
- 249ers trade for Colts' Keenan Allen to bolster injury-plagued WR roomESPN · espn.comBroadcaster
- 32026 NFL trade deadline updates: Josh Downs, Kirk Cousins on the moveESPN · espn.comBroadcaster
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