George Kittle welcomes DeForest Buckner as 49ers agree to trade with Colts
San Francisco has reportedly agreed to send Indianapolis a 2027 fourth-round pick for the defensive tackle, bringing Kittle’s former teammate back to the 49ers.
George Kittle welcomed DeForest Buckner’s return to the San Francisco 49ers on October 27 after reports that the team agreed to acquire the defensive tackle from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. The move would reunite Kittle with a former teammate as San Francisco deals with injuries on its defensive line.
Kittle posted a photograph of himself with Buckner and 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk on X, writing, “DEFOOOOO THE BOYS ARE BACK.” The image recalls their time together in San Francisco: Kittle and Buckner were teammates from 2017 through 2019, with Juszczyk also on the roster during that period, Niners Wire reported.
Buckner’s return to the 49ers
San Francisco selected Buckner seventh overall in the 2016 draft. He spent four seasons with the 49ers before the club traded him to Indianapolis for a 2020 first-round pick. The latest reported deal would reverse that move six seasons later, with the Colts receiving a future fourth-round selection. CBS Sports attributed its account of the new trade terms to ESPN; Niners Wire also reported the agreement.
Buckner, 32, has four sacks in seven games this season. CBS Sports also credited him with 31 combined tackles and three pass breakups. Across 11 NFL seasons, he has recorded 75.5 sacks and 101 tackles for loss, according to both outlets. Those figures show the experience San Francisco is seeking to add, though his role after the move has not been confirmed.
Why San Francisco is adding a defensive tackle
Niners Wire reported that 49ers defensive tackles CJ West and Alfred Collins are dealing with injuries. Buckner would join a defensive front that includes Osa Odighizuwa, while Nick Bosa has missed games with a calf injury. CBS Sports reported that San Francisco entered the week at 6-1 and led the NFC West, giving the team a different immediate outlook from Indianapolis, which stood at 2-5.
CBS Sports reported that the Colts also traded guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle on October 27. The outlet said the two moves brought Indianapolis three draft picks across 2027 and 2028 and cleared more than $17.7 million in salary-cap space. For San Francisco, the next scheduled game is against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 8. The reports described an agreement to trade Buckner; they did not establish that the transaction had been formally completed.
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Sources and context
- George Kittle reacts to DeForest Buckner tradeNiners Wire, republished by Yahoo Sports
- DeForest Buckner trade: Colts send DT to 49ers in exchange for 2027 fourth-round pick, per reportCBS Sports, reporting attributed to ESPN
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.