49ers trade for Keenan Allen to bolster injured WR room

Just hours before the trade deadline, the San Francisco 49ers acquired veteran WR Keenan Allen to help bolster their injured wide receiver room.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Nov 10, 2026, 11:09 AM

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 18: Keenan Allen #10 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after a first...

Keenan Allen #10 of the Indianapolis Colts reacts after a first down during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Just hours before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, the San Francisco 49ers addressed their injury-depleted wide receiver room by acquiring veteran Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis is sending the 34-year-old wideout to San Francisco. The 49ers are giving up a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for Allen, per Tom Pelissero.

Trade: Colts are sending WR Keenan Allen to the 49ers, per @RapSheet and me. https://t.co/t5BN51Kd79

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2026

Allen spent his first 11 NFL seasons with the Chargers, starting in San Diego before the team moved to Los Angeles, earning six Pro Bowl selections along the way.

He spent the 2024 season with the Chicago Bears before returning to the Chargers in 2025 and joining Indianapolis this offseason.

In eight games with the Colts this season, Allen has caught 40 passes for 351 yards and one touchdown. While not a blockbuster move, the veteran provides some much-needed depth and another reliable target for quarterback Brock Purdy.

San Francisco’s wide receiver room has been plagued by injuries throughout the season, more than any other position on the roster.

De’Zhaun Stribling, the 49ers’ first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, suffered an ankle injury in his Week 1 debut and has been sidelined since. He underwent surgery and was initially expected to miss around 10 weeks, leaving a potential return toward the end of November or early December.

Mike Evans, the team’s biggest offseason acquisition at receiver, has missed the last two games while dealing with rib and Achilles injuries. The six-time Pro Bowler is not expected to be ready to return to practice Wednesday, putting his availability for Week 10 against Dallas in doubt.

Deebo Samuel has missed the last three games with a hamstring strain, although head coach Kyle Shanahan expects him to return to practice this week.

49ers WRs
Keenan Allen
Demarcus Robinson
Jordan Watkins
Jacob Cowing
Brandin Cooks

On the mend
Deebo Samuel (hamstring, expected to practice Wed)
Mike Evans (Achilles)
De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle, back in Dec)

P squad
KhaDarel Hodge
Xavier Smith
Wesley Grimes
Will Pauling

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 10, 2026

Former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall suffered a torn PCL in his right knee and is expected to miss the entire season. Christian Kirk has also been largely unavailable due to multiple leg injuries and recently returned to injured reserve after suffering a knee injury.

With so many options either sidelined or working their way back from injury, adding Allen gives San Francisco another experienced option in the passing game as it continues its push toward the postseason.

General manager John Lynch has now added veteran help on both sides of the ball, with Indianapolis serving as his trade partner both times. DeForest Buckner returned to San Francisco just two weeks ago, and now Allen joins the 49ers just hours before the trade deadline.