49ers Suffer Blow as Linebacker Fred Warner Carted Off With Ankle Injury
SANTA CLARA, calif. – The San Francisco 49ers’ already lengthy injury list grew Sunday with the loss of star linebacker Fred Warner, who was carted off the field in the first quarter of their game with an apparent right ankle injury. The injury casts a shadow over the team’s Super Bowl aspirations and further strains a defense already depleted by key absences.
Warner sustained the injury during the game and was promptly attended too by medical staff. His right foot and ankle were stabilized in an air cast before he was removed from the field. The 49ers have been substantially impacted by injuries this season, losing several crucial players, and Warner’s absence adds another layer of concern for head coach Kyle Shanahan.
This is the latest setback for a 49ers team battling through a wave of injuries. Earlier this season, the team lost defensive end Nick Bosa to a season-ending torn right ACL in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals.Other key players who have missed meaningful time include tight end George Kittle (hamstring), quarterback Brock Purdy (toe), and receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee), Brandon Aiyuk (knee), and Jauan jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder).
Warner, a team leader since arriving in 2018, was on the verge of surpassing Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis’ franchise record for career tackles. He needed just five tackles to break the record before the injury occurred.
Rookie Tatum Bethune, a seventh-round pick in the 2024 draft, stepped in to replace Warner at middle linebacker. The severity of Warner’s injury and his expected recovery timeline remain unknown,but his absence will undoubtedly be felt as the 49ers navigate a challenging season.
