American football player (born 1994)
American football player
DeForest George Buckner
[1]
(born March 17, 1994) is an
American football
defensive tackle
for the
Indianapolis Colts
of the
National Football League
(NFL). He played
college football
at
Oregon
, and was selected by the
San Francisco 49ers
in the first round of the
2016 NFL draft
. With the 49ers, Buckner made a
Pro Bowl
and was a second-team
All-Pro
selection in 2019. With the Colts, he was selected to the first-team All Pro in 2020 and made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2023.
Early life
[
edit
]
Buckner was born to a
Samoan
mother and an
African American
father.
[2]
He attended
Punahou School
in
Honolulu
, Hawaii, where he was rated as a four-star recruit.
[3]
Buckner also was a teammate of
Ka?imi Fairbairn
, currently the kicker of the
Houston Texans
. In January 2012, Buckner committed to the
University of Oregon
to play
college football
.
[4]
Buckner also played basketball in high school. He was the Hawaii
Gatorade
Player of the Year in basketball in 2012.
[5]
College career
[
edit
]
Buckner played in all 13 games as a
true freshman
in 2012, making two starts. He finished his freshman season with 29
tackles
, 2.5 for a loss, and 1.0
sack
.
[6]
As a sophomore in 2013, Buckner started eight of 13 games, recording 39 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.
[7]
As a junior in 2014, he finished the year with 81 tackles, 13 for a loss, and 4.0 sacks.
[8]
Buckner was considered a possible first-round pick in the
NFL draft
but chose to return for his senior season to graduate and improve his draft stock.
[9]
As a senior in 2015, Buckner improved even further, achieving career highs in tackles with 83,
tackles for loss
with 17, and sacks with 10.5.
[8]
Buckner was voted the 2015
Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year
by the Pac-12 coaches, joining
Haloti Ngata
as the second Oregon Duck to ever win the award.
[10]
He was awarded the
Morris Trophy
for best Pac-12 defensive lineman (voted on by opposing players) and was named a first-team
All-American
. Following his senior season, Buckner officially announced he would enter the
2016 NFL draft
. He was considered one of the top-ranked
defensive ends
in the draft.
[11]
Professional career
[
edit
]
San Francisco 49ers
[
edit
]
2016 season
[
edit
]
The
San Francisco 49ers
selected Buckner with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
[14]
[15]
He was the second consecutive Oregon defensive end selected in the first round by the 49ers, joining
Arik Armstead
who was selected 17th overall in 2015. They went on to draft
Solomon Thomas
who was another Pac-12 defensive end in 2017.
Buckner made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the
Los Angeles Rams
, recording one tackle in the 28?0 shutout victory.
[16]
During a Week 6 45?16 road loss to the
Buffalo Bills
, he recorded nine tackles and his first two NFL sacks on quarterback
Tyrod Taylor
and recovered a
fumble
forced by former college teammate
Arik Armstead
on Taylor.
[17]
During Week 14 against the
New York Jets
, Buckner recorded a team-high 11 tackles and sacked
Bryce Petty
twice in the 23?17 overtime loss.
[18]
Buckner finished his rookie season with 73 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a
pass deflection
in 15 games and starts. He led all NFL
defensive linemen
with 1,108 snaps on the season and ranked second with his 73 tackles. Buckner's six sacks ranked fourth among rookies.
[19]
2017 season
[
edit
]
Buckner and the defense played well against the
Carolina Panthers
in the season opener, holding quarterback
Cam Newton
to only 171 yards passing and three yards rushing despite losing 23?3.
[20]
Three weeks later against the
Arizona Cardinals
, Buckner recorded four tackles and his first sack of the year on
Carson Palmer
during the 18?15 overtime road loss.
[21]
During Week 15 against the
Tennessee Titans
, Buckner recorded a season-high nine tackles and half a sack on former college teammate
Marcus Mariota
in a narrow 25?23 victory.
[22]
Buckner finished his second professional season with 61 tackles, five pass deflections, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games and starts.
[23]
2018 season
[
edit
]
During the season-opener against the
Minnesota Vikings
, Buckner recorded seven tackles and sacked
Kirk Cousins
2.5 times in the 24?16 road loss.
[24]
In the next game against the
Detroit Lions
, he recorded five tackles and sacked
Matthew Stafford
once in a narrow 30?27 win. After the first two games of the season, Buckner eclipsed his 2017 sack total.
[25]
During a Week 13 43?16 road loss the
Seattle Seahawks
, Buckner recorded seven tackles and sacked
Russell Wilson
twice.
[26]
Two weeks later against the Seahawks, Buckner recorded a season-high 11 tackles and sacked Wilson twice more during the 26?23 overtime victory.
[27]
Buckner finished his third season with 67 tackles, three pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and a career high 12 sacks, the most by a 49ers player since
Aldon Smith
had 19.5 during the 2012 season.
[28]
Buckner was named to his first
Pro Bowl
as a result.
[29]
2019 season
[
edit
]
On April 24, 2019, the 49ers exercised the fifth-year option on Buckner's contract.
[30]
During Week 2 against the
Cincinnati Bengals
, Buckner recorded a tackle and his first sack of the season on
Andy Dalton
in the 41?17 road victory.
[31]
In the next game against the
Pittsburgh Steelers
, Buckner recorded a season-high 10 tackles, sacked
Mason Rudolph
once, and recovered a fumble forced by teammate
Arik Armstead
on
James Conner
late in the fourth quarter to help seal a 24?20 victory.
[32]
After a Week 4 bye, the 49ers hosted the
Cleveland Browns
on
Monday Night Football
. In that game, Buckner recorded five tackles and a strip sack on
Baker Mayfield
which was recovered by teammate
Nick Bosa
as the 49ers won by a score of 31?3.
[33]
During a Week 9 28?25 road victory over the Cardinals, Buckner recorded four tackles and a sack.
[34]
In the next ganme against the Seahawks on
Monday Night Football
, he recorded five tackles and recovered a fumble forced by teammate
K'Waun Williams
on running back
Rashaad Penny
. Later in the game, Buckner recovered a fumble lost by offensive tackle
Germain Ifedi
and returned it for a 12-yard touchdown during the 27?24 overtime loss.
[35]
Three weeks later against the
Baltimore Ravens
, Buckner sacked
Lamar Jackson
once during the 20?17 road loss. With this sack, Buckner recorded at least one sack in every game against the
American Football Conference (AFC) North
during the season.
[36]
Buckner finished the 2019 season with 61 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, and a touchdown in 16 games and starts.
[37]
On January 3, 2020, he was named as a Second-team
All-Pro
.
[38]
Buckner made his playoff debut in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Vikings. In that game, he recorded two tackles and sacked
Kirk Cousins
once in the 27?10 win.
[39]
During the NFC Championship Game against the
Green Bay Packers
, Buckner recorded four tackles and recovered a fumble lost by
Aaron Rodgers
in the 37?20 victory.
[40]
During
Super Bowl LIV
against the
Kansas City Chiefs
, Buckner recorded six tackles and sacked
Patrick Mahomes
1.5 times in the 31?20 loss.
[41]
Indianapolis Colts
[
edit
]
2020 season
[
edit
]
On March 18, 2020, the 49ers traded Buckner to the
Indianapolis Colts
in exchange for their first round pick in the
2020 NFL draft
.
[42]
He then signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension, making him the second-highest paid defensive tackle.
[43]
During a Week 2 28?11 over the Vikings, Buckner recorded his first sack of the season on
Kirk Cousins
in the end zone for a safety.
[44]
During Week 11 against the Packers, Buckner recovered a fumble forced by teammate
Julian Blackmon
on wide receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
early in overtime to help the Colts win the game 34?31.
[45]
Buckner was placed on the reserve/
COVID-19
list after testing positive for the virus on November 25, 2020.
[46]
[47]
and activated on December 4.
[48]
During Week 15 against the
Houston Texans
had a career-high three sacks on
Deshaun Watson
, including a strip sack that was recovered by the Colts, during the 27?20 road victory, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
[49]
[50]
Buckner was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for his performance in December.
[51]
Buckner finished his first season with the Colts with 58 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 15 games and 14 starts.
[52]
On January 8, 2021, Buckner was named a first-team All-Pro for the 2020 season.
[53]
2021 season
[
edit
]
During the season-opener against the Seahawks, Buckner recorded six tackles and sacked
Russell Wilson
once in the 28?16 loss.
[54]
During a Week 6 31?3 victory over the Texans, he recorded five tackles and a sack.
[55]
In the next game against the 49ers, Buckner recorded six tackles and a sack in the 30?18 road victory.
[56]
The following week against the Titans, Buckner recorded two tackles and a sack in the 34?31 overtime loss.
[57]
During a Week 12 38?31 loss to the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, Buckner recorded three tackles and a sack.
[58]
Three weeks later against the
New England Patriots
, he recorded four tackles and a sack in the 27?17 victory.
[59]
On December 22, 2021, Buckner was named to his second Pro Bowl.
[60]
Buckner finished the 2021 season with 68 tackles, seven sacks, and three pass deflections in 17 games and 16 starts.
[61]
2022 season
[
edit
]
Buckner played in all 17 games for the Colts in 2022, starting 16, and tallying 74 combined tackles, 8 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Following the season, Buckner revealed that he played the entire year with a
UCL
tear in his left elbow.
[62]
2023 season
[
edit
]
Buckner once again played in all 17 games, recording a career-high 81 tackles (fifth on the team) and finished third on the team with eight sacks.
2024 season
[
edit
]
On April 15, 2024, the Colts signed Buckner to a two-year, $46 million contract extension through the 2026 season.
[63]
NFL career statistics
[
edit
]
Regular season statistics
Year
|
Team
|
Games
|
Tackles
|
Fumbles
|
Interceptions
|
GP
|
GS
|
Cmb
|
Solo
|
Ast
|
Sck
|
FF
|
FR
|
Yds
|
TD
|
Int
|
Yds
|
Avg
|
Lng
|
TD
|
PD
|
2016
|
SF
|
15
|
15
|
73
|
43
|
30
|
6.0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2017
|
SF
|
16
|
16
|
61
|
45
|
16
|
3.0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
2018
|
SF
|
16
|
16
|
67
|
44
|
23
|
12.0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
2019
|
SF
|
16
|
16
|
62
|
34
|
28
|
7.5
|
2
|
4
|
12
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
2020
|
IND
|
15
|
14
|
58
|
37
|
21
|
9.5
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
2021
|
IND
|
17
|
16
|
68
|
40
|
28
|
7.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
2022
|
IND
|
17
|
16
|
74
|
44
|
30
|
8.0
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
2023
|
IND
|
17
|
16
|
81
|
45
|
36
|
8.0
|
2
|
1
|
26
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
Career
|
129
|
125
|
544
|
332
|
212
|
61.0
|
9
|
10
|
36
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
27
|
Postseason statistics
Year
|
Team
|
Games
|
Tackles
|
Fumbles
|
Interceptions
|
GP
|
GS
|
Cmb
|
Solo
|
Ast
|
Sck
|
FF
|
FR
|
Yds
|
TD
|
Int
|
Yds
|
Avg
|
Lng
|
TD
|
PD
|
2019
|
SF
|
3
|
3
|
12
|
9
|
3
|
2.5
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2020
|
IND
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Career
|
4
|
4
|
14
|
11
|
3
|
2.5
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Personal life
[
edit
]
Buckner is married to Ashlyn Buckner. They have one son together.
[64]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"DeForest Buckner"
(PDF)
.
San Francisco 49ers 2017 Season Media Guide
. Archived from
the original
(PDF)
on October 21, 2020
. Retrieved
October 18,
2020
.
- ^
Quick, Jason (December 29, 2014).
"Deconstructing DeForest Buckner: How The Man of the Oregon defensive line first became a man"
. The Oregonian
. Retrieved
December 29,
2014
.
- ^
Wharton, Ian.
"DeForest Buckner Offers Impact Skill Set, Versatility in 2016 NFL Draft"
. Bleacher Report
. Retrieved
June 11,
2018
.
- ^
"Countdown to signing day: Defensive end DeForest Buckner could be next Dion Jordan for Oregon Ducks"
.
OregonLive.com
. January 26, 2012.
- ^
Sleeping Giant
- ^
"Freshmen Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Alex Balducci in a class of their own on Oregon's D-line"
.
OregonLive.com
. December 10, 2012.
- ^
"Ducks' defensive linemen double trouble for opponents"
.
Statesman Journal
. August 18, 2014.
- ^
a
b
"Sports-Reference DeForest Buckner"
.
- ^
Greif, Andrew (June 20, 2015).
"Oregon's DeForest Buckner: 'Deep down I wanted to leave' for NFL before returning to Ducks"
.
oregonlive
. Retrieved
October 13,
2019
.
- ^
"DeForest Buckner surprised, honored to be Pac-12 defensive player of the year"
.
NBC Sports Northwest
. December 12, 2015. Archived from
the original
on October 14, 2019
. Retrieved
October 13,
2019
.
- ^
Brooks, Bucky (January 29, 2016).
"Top five 2016 NFL Draft prospects by position"
.
NFL.com
. Retrieved
March 16,
2020
.
- ^
"DeForest Buckner Draft and Combine Prospect Profile"
.
NFL.com
. Retrieved
December 31,
2023
.
- ^
"2016 NFL Draft Scout DeForest Buckner College Football Profile"
.
DraftScout.com
. Retrieved
December 31,
2023
.
- ^
"NFL draft: Results, analysis for every Round 1 pick"
.
ESPN.com
. April 29, 2016
. Retrieved
April 29,
2016
.
- ^
Emerick (April 28, 2016).
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.
49ers.com
. Retrieved
July 3,
2017
.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
www.espn.com
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. Retrieved
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2020
.
- ^
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.
www.pro-football-reference.com
. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
Pro-Football-Reference.com
. Retrieved
November 8,
2017
.
- ^
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.
www.espn.com
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. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
"Jimmy Time! Garoppolo leads 49ers to third straight win"
.
www.espn.com
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. Retrieved
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2020
.
- ^
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.
www.pro-football-reference.com
. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
www.espn.com
. Associated Press. September 9, 2018
. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
"49ers hang on to beat Lions 30-27"
.
www.espn.com
. Associated Press. September 16, 2018
. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
"Wilson's big day leads Seahawks past San Francisco 43-16"
.
www.espn.com
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. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
www.espn.com
. Associated Press. December 16, 2018
. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
www.pro-football-reference.com
. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
- ^
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.
49ers.com
. April 24, 2019
. Retrieved
July 1,
2019
.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
www.espn.com
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. Retrieved
April 1,
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.
- ^
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.
Pro-Football-Reference.com
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
www.espn.com
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. Retrieved
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2020
.
- ^
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.
www.pro-football-reference.com
. Retrieved
April 1,
2020
.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
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.
- ^
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.
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- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
November 23,
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.
- ^
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.
NFL.com
. Retrieved
November 27,
2020
.
- ^
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.
Stampede Blue
. Retrieved
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2020
.
- ^
@Colts (December 4, 2020).
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(
Tweet
)
. Retrieved
December 31,
2020
– via
Twitter
.
- ^
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.
Houston Chronicle
. December 21, 2020.
- ^
Gordon, Grant (December 23, 2020).
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.
NFL.com
.
- ^
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"Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Bills QB Josh Allen among Players of the Month"
.
NFL.com
. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
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. Retrieved
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.
- ^
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.
NFL.com
. January 8, 2021.
- ^
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- ^
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.
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2022
.
- ^
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.
indystar.com
. Retrieved
June 26,
2023
.
- ^
McCarriston, Shanna (April 15, 2024).
"DeForest Buckner agrees to $46 million contract extension with Colts, per report"
.
CBS Sports
. Retrieved
April 15,
2024
.
- ^
Ackerman, Jon (October 20, 2020).
"Colts' DeForest Buckner gets baptized: 'Today I surrendered my whole self to Jesus'
"
.
Sports Spectrum
. Retrieved
October 20,
2020
.
External links
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Overall (1975?1982)
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Offensive (1983?present)
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