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49ers welcome back DeForest Buckner with generous offer from new teammate
The San Francisco 49ers have welcomed back DeForest Buckner, who will reclaim his familiar No. 99 jersey after new teammate CJ West offered it to him for free. The gesture means Buckner can return to the number he has worn throughout his NFL career.
West was assigned No. 99 after being drafted in the fourth round in 2025, but went on injured reserve in Week 2 with bone chips in his knee; the roster now lists him as No. 90. Buckner, drafted by San Francisco in 2016, spent six seasons with the Colts before requesting a trade back to the 49ers, who acquired him for a fourth-round pick amid Indianapolis’s 2-6 start.
In short
- CJ West gave Buckner his No. 99 jersey.
- Buckner returns to the 49ers after six seasons with Indianapolis.
- San Francisco traded a fourth-round pick for him.
Explained simply
The San Francisco 49ers are an American football team in the NFL, the United States’ top professional league. DeForest Buckner first played for them after being drafted in 2016, then spent six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before returning to San Francisco.
Players usually have a squad number on their shirt, and Buckner has worn No. 99 throughout his NFL career. CJ West, a 49ers teammate drafted in 2025, was given that number; he later moved to No. 90 after going on the injured reserve list with a knee injury.