The 49ers’ reunion with DeForest Buckner came with a parting of ways.
San Francisco pulled off a trade to bring back the veteran defensive lineman Tuesday, sending a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Colts six years after dealing him to Indianapolis.
But making room for a familiar face meant showing someone else the door.
To accommodate Buckner on the roster, the star-studded team had to clear a spot. Jack Jones was the casualty.
The 49ers released the cornerback Wednesday, ending his stint on the team after seven games.
Jones’ release followed a difficult outing in Sunday’s 29-20 loss to the Falcons, which ended the 49ers’ unbeaten start.
Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. repeatedly picked on Jones, who was beaten in coverage multiple times and committed a costly pass-interference penalty that helped keep a Falcons drive alive.
The performance capped Jones’ brief stint in San Francisco, where he recorded 11 tackles and three passes defensed in seven games without making a start.
It was a reduced role for the veteran, who started 17 games for the Dolphins last season.
The 28-year-old recorded 77 tackles, six passes defensed and an interception in Miami before signing a one-year deal with the 49ers in April.
Jones stood out with the second-team defense during training camp before a hand injury cut short his appearance in the 49ers’ preseason opener against Tennessee.
San Francisco became his fourth NFL stop in five seasons, following stints with the Patriots, Raiders and Dolphins.
A fourth-round pick by New England in 2022, Jones showed promise as a rookie with two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
But his Patriots tenure ended with his release in November 2023 after a team suspension and consecutive games in which he was benched.
Jones went on to play for the Raiders and Dolphins, accumulating eight interceptions across his first four seasons and returning four for touchdowns.
Buckner returns to a 6-1 team navigating injuries to key players, including Nick Bosa and Mike Evans, with other roster needs in focus ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
The 49ers return from their bye to host the Raiders on Nov. 8, two days before the deadline.
