DeForest Buckner

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:

• Placed on the Injured Reserve List on December 27, 2025.
• Activated from the Injured Reserve List on December 22, 2025.
• Placed on the Injured Reserve List on November 8, 2025.
• Activated from the Injured Reserve List on October 26, 2024.
• Placed on the Injured Reserve List on September 17, 2024.
• Acquired by the Colts in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2020 first round draft pick on March 18, 2020.
• Selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

2024 SEASON (COLTS):

• In 2024, he appeared in 12 games (11 starts) and compiled 61 tackles (24 solo), 8.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one pass defensed. In Week 1 vs. HOU, he recorded six tackles (five solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks. In Week 8 at HOU, he registered three tackles (two solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 9 at MIN, he compiled six tackles (four solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 12 vs. DET, he recorded seven tackles (two solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 13 at NE, he posted seven tackles (one solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. He passed Chad Bratzke (37.0) for the fifth-most career sacks in franchise history. In Week 15 at DEN, he accumulated three tackles (two solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. It marked the third time in his career he has recorded a sack in three consecutive games within the same season. In Week 16 vs. TEN, he totaled five tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and one pass defensed. It marked his fifth consecutive game with a tackle for loss, which was tied for the third-longest active streak in the NFL.

2023 SEASON (COLTS):

• Played in all 17 games (16 starts) in 2023 and tallied 81 tackles (45 solo), 11.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown en route to his third Pro Bowl selection. In Week 1 vs. JAX, he recorded a strip-sack on Trevor Lawrence that was recovered by Jacksonville, lost again by the Jaguars, and picked up by Buckner and returned 26 yards for a touchdown. It marked his second career touchdown. In Week 6 at JAX, he totaled three tackles (one solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 8 vs. NO, he tallied three tackles (two solo) 1.0 sack and one forced fumble. In Week 9 at CAR, he compiled four solo tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and two passes defensed. In Week 10 at NE, he tallied a season-high eight tackles (four solo) and 1.0 tackle for loss. In Week 12 vs. TB, he totaled five tackles (four solo) and one pass defensed. In Week 13 at TEN, he registered six tackles (three solo), half a sack and one pass defensed. In Week 14 at CIN, he recorded eight tackles (three solo) and one pass defensed. In Week 17 vs. LV, he compiled four tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. He became one of three NFL players to register at least 7.0 sacks in each of the past six seasons (2018-23), joining Myles Garrett and Chris Jones. In Week 18 vs. HOU, he compiled six tackles (one solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack.

2022 SEASON (COLTS):

• In 2022, he appeared in all 17 games (16 starts) and recorded 74 tackles (44 solo), 11.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In Week 5 at DEN, he compiled eight tackles (four solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. He became the first NFL player that season to register at least eight tackles, 2.0 sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble in a single game, and is the first to do so since Marcus Maye in Week 1 of 2020. In Week 6 vs. JAX, he compiled five tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. He tallied sacks in back-to-back games for the first time since Weeks 7 and 8 of 2021. In Week 8 vs. WAS, he tallied three tackles (two solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 9 at NE, he reached 50.0 career sacks. In Week 15 at MIN, he compiled three tackles (two solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and one pass defensed. In Week 18 vs. HOU, he accumlated four solo tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. He reached at least 10.0 tackles for loss for the third consecutive season.

2021 SEASON (COLTS):

• Competed in all 17 games (16 starts) in 2021 and compiled 68 tackles (40 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and three passes defensed en route to his second career Pro Bowl selection. In Week 6 vs. HOU, he registered five tackles (four solo), 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 7 at SF, he tallied six tackles (five solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 8 vs. TEN, he tallied two solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. It was his third consecutive game with a sack. In Week 12 vs. TB, he registered three solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack and one pass defensed. In Week 15 vs. NE, he recorded four tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.0 sack. In Week 17 vs. LV, he had a season-high eight tackles (four solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and half a sack. It was the most tackles he had recorded in a single game as a Colt.

2020 SEASON (COLTS):

• Earned Associated Press First Team All-Pro and PFWA All-NFL Team honors after he appeared in 15 games (14 starts) in 2020 and accumulated 58 tackles (37 solo), 10.0 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In Week 2 vs. MIN, he recorded three tackles (one solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks. He registered his first-career safety with a sack on Kirk Cousins. In Week 15 vs. HOU, he accumulated four tackles (three solo), a career-high 3.0 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. He registered 2.0 sacks in the first quarter and became the first Colts player to do so since Robert Mathis in Week 10 of 2013. He became one of four players in 2020 to record at least four tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble in a single game, joining Justin Houston, Aaron Donald and Haason Reddick. Started one postseason contest and tallied two solo tackles.

2019 (49ERS)

• Named a Second Team Associated Press All-Pro selection after starting all 16 games and totaling 61 tackles (33 solo), 9.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
• He was part of a San Francisco defense that ranked second in the NFL in net yards allowed per game (281.8) and tied for fifth in total sacks (48.0) en route to a Super Bowl LIV appearance.
• Buckner started the team's three postseason contests and finished with 12 tackles (nine solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.
• In Super Bowl LIV, he compiled six tackles (three solo), 1.0 tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks.
• Was the recipient of the 2019 Bill Walsh Award, which is voted on by the coaching staff and given to the 49er who best represented the standard of professional excellence established by Walsh.

2018 (49ERS)

• Selected to his first-career Pro Bowl after he started all 16 games and registering 12.0 sacks, the most by a member of the 49ers in a single season since Aldon Smith (19.5 in 2012), the fourth-most in a single year by a 49ers defender since 2000 and the second most among NFL defensive tackles.
• Also recorded 67 tackles (44 solo), 17.0 tackles for loss, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
• Ranked third among NFL defensive tackles in tackles for loss.
• Was named to his first career Pro Bowl and was the recipient of the 49ers Len Eshmont Award, which is voted on by the players and given to the 49er who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an original member of the 1946 49ers team.

2017 (49ERS)

• Finished with 61 tackles (45 solo), 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five passes defensed and one forced fumble.
• In 2017 and 2018, he was named the recipient of the 49ers Hazeltine Iron Man Award, which is given annually to the most courageous and inspirational defensive player as voted on by the team's defensive coaches.
• Became the sixth 49ers defensive player to win the award on multiple occasions and the second to win the award in back-to-back seasons.

2016 (49ERS)

• Notched 73 tackles (43 solo), 7.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks (tied for third on the team), one pass defensed and two fumble recoveries.
• His 73 tackles ranked second among all NFL defensive tackles and his 6.0 sacks ranked fourth among NFL rookies.
• Was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team for his performance.

COLLEGE:

• Appeared in 54 games at Oregon (2012-15) and registered 232 tackles (106 solo), 36.0 tackles for loss, 18.0 sacks and nine passes defensed.
• In 2015, he was named First Team All-America by USA Today and Second Team All-America by The Associated Press after he appeared in all 13 games and totaled 83 tackles (43 solo), 17.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and five passes defensed. Also was named the PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year and was the recipient of the Morris Trophy, which is an honor voted on by opposing PAC-12 offensive linemen.
• As a junior, he was named a Second Team All-PAC-12 choice after he started 15 games and tallied 81 tackles (36 solo), 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and four passes defensed.
• In 2013, he played in 13 games (eight starts) and accumulated 39 tackles (12 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
• As a freshman, he appeared in 13 games (two starts) and recorded 29 tackles (15 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. He received the Casanova Award, which is awarded to the team's top first-year player.

PERSONAL:

• Attended Punahou (Hawaii) High School and was named First Team All-State his senior year.
• Was a four-year letterman in basketball and earned first team all-state and First Team All-ILH (Interscholastic League of Honolulu) as a senior after averaging 11.3 points and 8.9 rebounds a game.
• In 2023, he attended a playground build and Beyond the Sidelines as Colts community initiative events.
• Participated in the NFL's My Cause My Cleats initiative and represented kNot Today (2021-23) and 'Beyond Differences' (2019).
• In 2020, he participated in three Colts' mobile pantry distributions as part of the No One Runs on Empty program.
• Received the 2019 Bill Walsh Award, which was established in 2004 and is voted on by the coaching staff and given to the 49er who best represented the standard of professional excellence established by Walsh.
• In 2018, he was the recipient of the 49ers Len Eshmont Award, which is voted on by the team and given to the player who best exemplifies inspirational and courageous play.
• Participated in many community events with the 49ers, including the Crucial Catch Fashion Show, serving Thanksgiving dinner to people in need and taking local youth on a holiday shopping spree.
• Majored in criminology.
• Married to his wife, Ashlyn, and they have two sons, Dominic and Jordan, and a daughter Gianna.
• First name is pronounced duh-FORE-ist.
• A native of Honolulu, Hawaii.