Milestone watch: The 49ers trade for Keenan Allen, seven catches from passing Cris Carter

The San Francisco 49ers traded for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen on Tuesday, hours before the NFL's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. The Colts get a 2027 sixth-round pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

It is the second trade between the two teams in three weeks. Indianapolis sent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to San Francisco on Oct. 27, and Allen is the third veteran the rebuilding Colts have moved recently, after Buckner and guard Quenton Nelson.

The milestone in reach

Allen has 1,095 career receptions, the eighth-most in NFL history, according to ESPN. He needs seven more to pass Cris Carter for seventh place. Allen has 40 catches for 351 yards and one touchdown this season, which led the Colts in receptions, Schefter reported.

If Allen plays Sunday, he will face the Dallas Cowboys for the second week in a row. He had four catches for 26 yards against Dallas in Week 9. The 49ers play at AT&T Stadium at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.

Why San Francisco needed him

The 49ers' receiver room has been hit all season. Ricky Pearsall went on injured reserve after knee surgery in training camp, and Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, De'Zhaun Stribling and Christian Kirk have all missed time, ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported. Samuel is set to return to practice Wednesday, and Robinson came back from injured reserve last week.

The trade is a homecoming of sorts for Allen, 34, a six-time Pro Bowler who played college football at Cal. He joins a roster that leans on veterans. According to ESPN Research, the 49ers have the most offensive snaps and offensive touchdowns from players 30 or older this season. San Francisco will need to make a roster move to fit him in.