The 49ers never quite replaced DeForest Buckner after he left in free agency for the Colts, but they have found other occupants over the years for his old No. 99 jersey.
So, what’s a guy to do when he gets traded back to a team that’s given away his number?
In Buckner’s case, well, nothing at all.
As if there was any doubt about what a welcome addition the former Niner was to the current locker room, he didn’t even have to ask about getting his old digits back.
Second-year defensive tackle CJ West gave them up for free, no strings attached.
“I got to know him earlier [last] week, and we were talking a little bit,” Buckner told NBC Sports Bay Area. “And he said, ‘Hey, bro, 99 is yours.’ ”
West was assigned No. 99 after the 49ers drafted him in the fourth round in 2025, but the jersey has been out of commission since he landed on injured reserve in Week 2 with bone chips in his knee. Buckner has never worn any other number in the NFL.
He took No. 99 after the Niners drafted him seventh overall in 2016 and kept it for all six of his seasons with the Colts after signing with Indianapolis as a free agent in 2020.
Amid their 2-6 start to the season, Buckner requested to be traded with a specific destination in mind — his former team — which the Colts honored in exchange for a fourth-round pick.
There was nothing in the terms of the deal about Buckner’s uniform, besides the fact that it would be red and gold again rather than blue and white.
But thanks to West’s generosity, he won’t have to confront the idea of wearing anything else.
The 49ers’ roster now lists West as wearing No. 90.
Just because he didn’t ask doesn’t mean Buckner doesn’t have some kind of compensation in mind.
“Oh, I’m going to take care of him,” Buckner told NBC Sports Bay Area. “But, yeah, he just offered it, which is pretty great.”
