DeForest Buckner trade: Colts send DT to 49ers in exchange for 2027 fourth-round pick, per report

Buckner began his NFL career with the Niners as a first round pick in 2016. The Indianapolis Colts are trading defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick, according to ESPN. Buckner will now reunite with the team that drafted him at No. 7 overall in 2016. Buckner played for the Niners through the 2019 season, before joining the Colts ahead of the 2020 season. The three-time Pro Bowler will now head back to Levi's Stadium to help the Niners' defensive line. This season, he has 31 combined tackles, four sacks and three pass breakups. The 32-year-old has 683 combined tackles, including 101 for a loss, 75.5 sacks, 31 pass deflections, nine forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, nine forced fumbles and two touchdowns in his 11-year career.

Of the 158 games he's played in, he's started 153, including all seven so far this year. 49ers star tight end George Kittle celebrated the news on social media: DEFOOOOO THE BOYS ARE BACK @DeForestBuckner @JuiceCheck44 @49ers pic.twitter.com/jUoMNJ96Dx Buckner joins a defense with DT Osa Odighizuwa, DE Mykel Williams, LB Fred Warner and DE Nick Bosa, who has missed multiple games with a calf injury. The Niners defense has allowed 299.3 total yards per game, fourth-best in the league. Their run defense is their strongest