San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that linebacker Fred Warner is dealing with an ankle injury. Warner will be “day to day,” per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Warner managed to avoid a high ankle sprain or more serious injury, tests revealed.
#49ers LB Fred Warner is dealing with an ankle injury, per Kyle Shanahan. He’s going to be day to day this week.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 30, 2024
Kyle Shanahan says fact that LB Fred Warner is day to day is a good sign after tests and scans, as it means he avoided a serious issue like a high ankle sprain. Shanahan said Warner will have a chance to heal up this week.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 30, 2024
Warner did not finish Sunday’s victory against the New England Patriots. He left the game because of the injury, and did not return.
Warner spoke to the media after the game on Sunday, and said he would have finished the game if he could.
“It takes a lot for me to tap out,” Warner told reporters Sunday. “If I could have been out there I would have been. We’ll get more information on it as we go with scans and all that, but I feel good right now.”
Fred Warner on his injury:
“It takes a lot for me to tap out. If I could have been out there I would have been. We’ll see as we get more information on it as we go with scans and all that, but I feel good right now.” pic.twitter.com/fP8FW2HlyM
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 30, 2024
The seventh-year linebacker did not leave without making a significant impact on the 49ers’ 30-13 win over the Patriots. Warner picked off a pass from Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett, and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown — the 49ers’ first touchdown of the game.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Warner has been phenomenal for the 49ers once again this season. Along with his pick-six on Sunday, he also forced multiple game-changing turnovers against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. While facing the Vikings, Warner picked off quarterback Sam Darnold and forced a Vikings fumble. The 49ers went on to lose, but Warner kept them in the game longer than they would have been.
So far this season, the versatile linebacker has 27 total tackles, one sack, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and four pass deflections this season, putting him toward the top of the early conversation to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
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The 49ers are already dealing with a multitude of injuries, and hope to have Warner available for their upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals. While the Cardinals are 1-3, the 49ers will need all hands on deck to stop the explosive offense James Connor, Kyler Murray, and Marvin Harrison Jr. can create. Given Warner’s ability to race all over the field, he will likely be needed to slow down this offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, the 49ers are already without linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Hargrave is out for the season because of a torn tricpes injury, while Greenlaw tore his achilles at the Super Bowl, and won’t return until later in the season.
