The San Francisco 49ers acquired veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick ahead of the NFL trade deadline, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN.
San Francisco acted to shore up an injury-plagued receiving corps. Sources confirmed the transaction on Tuesday, marking the second trade between the two franchises in a three-week span after the October 27 deal that sent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the 49ers.
San Francisco’s receiving depth has eroded since training camp when Ricky Pearsall landed on injured reserve following knee surgery. The team subsequently played multiple stretches without Mike Evans due to an Achilles tendon injury, Deebo Samuel with a hamstring strain, Demarcus Robinson with an ankle issue, De’Zhaun Stribling with an ankle injury, and Christian Kirk dealing with calf and knee ailments.
Allen led the Colts with 40 receptions this season. The 34-year-old wide receiver played college football nearby at the University of California and brings 1,095 career receptions—eighth-most in NFL history—into his new locker room.
Allen joins an offense that relies heavily on experienced veterans. ESPN Research notes that the 49ers lead the league this season with 2,943 offensive plays and 25 offensive touchdowns produced by players aged 30 or older. San Francisco now features three of the league’s five players aged 33 or older who have recorded more than 300 receiving yards: Allen, Evans, and tight end George Kittle.
While Robinson returned from injured reserve last week against the Las Vegas Raiders and Samuel was scheduled to resume practicing on Wednesday, the front office sought reliable targets for quarterback Brock Purdy while Evans and Stribling continue recovering. The 49ers must clear a roster spot to accommodate Allen before Sunday’s matchup.
The 49ers host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. If active, Allen will face Dallas for the second week, having previously recorded four receptions for 26 yards against them in Week 9.
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