The NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers have added help at wide receiver ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick. The teams announced the deal Tuesday.
Allen, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, joins a 49ers receiving group hit hard by injuries. Mike Evans has missed the past two games with Achilles and rib injuries, while Deebo Samuel has been sidelined for three games with a hamstring issue. Christian Kirk and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling are on injured reserve, and Ricky Pearsall is out for the season with a PCL injury.
Even with those absences, San Francisco is 7-1 and leads the conference. Allen has played eight games for Indianapolis this season, recording 40 catches for 351 yards and a touchdown.
Allen was arrested in August on two misdemeanor charges of operating while intoxicated. He has not been disciplined while the legal case remains unresolved. Once it concludes, he could receive a three-game suspension, which is typically the penalty under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The 14-year veteran spent his first 11 seasons with the Chargers, including four years in San Diego before the franchise moved to Los Angeles. He was later traded to the Chicago Bears, where he played one season, then rejoined the Chargers last year. Allen signed with the Colts during training camp in August 2026. Across his career, he has totaled 1,095 receptions, 12,402 yards and 71 touchdowns.
This is the second trade between the 49ers and Colts this season. In October, San Francisco acquired All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
For Indianapolis, the Allen deal marks its third trade since the team fired general manager Chris Ballard. The Colts also traded eight-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks.
Indianapolis could make more moves before the deadline. Running back Jonathan Taylor has attracted interest, and wide receiver Josh Downs has requested a trade following the departures of Nelson and Buckner.
The trade deadline is Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.
