Colts agree to trade Keenan Allen to 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to acquire wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been finalized. The move is contingent on Allen passing a physical.

Allen, 34, has recorded 40 receptions for 351 yards and one touchdown in eight games during his first season with the Colts. On Sunday against Dallas, he caught four passes for 26 yards and surpassed Hall of Famer Tim Brown for eighth place on the NFL's all-time receptions list with 1,095 career catches.

The 49ers (7-1), who lead the NFC standings, sought receiver depth after a series of injuries. Mike Evans is sidelined with Achilles tendinitis and has missed the past two games with no clear return timetable. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling is on injured reserve with an ankle injury expected to keep him out until at least December, Christian Kirk went on injured reserve last week with a knee injury, and Ricky Pearsall is out for the season. Deebo Samuel could return this week after missing three games with a hamstring injury.

This marks the second trade between the teams this season; San Francisco acquired defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from Indianapolis for a fourth-round pick late last month. The Colts (2-7) are in a rebuilding phase and, according to Colts.com, now own 10 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft following the trade deadline.

Allen signed with the Colts on August 19 to reunite with head coach Shane Steichen, his offensive coordinator for seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. On August 30, Allen was arrested and faces preliminary misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person. According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers observed signs of intoxication after a traffic investigation and found Allen's blood-alcohol level to be nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08. Attorneys held a video conference in mid-October and are scheduled to meet again on December 7; no trial date has been set. The NFL typically waits for legal resolution before considering a suspension, so any discipline may not occur this season.