Once again, injuries have been a huge part of the San Francisco 49ers’ season. Multiple stars have had serious injuries, first with edge rusher Nick Bosa in Week 3 against Arizona and tight end George Kittle last Sunday against Philadelphia in the wild-card round.
Linebacker Fred Warner broke and dislocated his ankle in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Less than 100 days later, the team opened his practice window from injured reserve (IR).
‘We’re opening his window so he can do some stuff,’ 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. ‘But again, we’re not doing much, so he’ll walk through out there with us today and things like that. But, hoping he can be ready for next week.’
That, rightfully, has 49ers fans excited about the idea of one of the best defenders in the league taking the field against the Seahawks in the NFC divisional round.
But that excitement will have to wait − and turn to hope for a road win over Seattle.
Shanahan said Warner will not be activated off IR ahead of Saturday’s game. Warner was limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday but did not participate at all Thursday.
Teams have 21 days to activate a player to the active roster from IR after opening their practice window. That means Warner could potentially be in the lineup for the NFC championship game or Super Bowl 60 if the 49ers make it that far.
This is the first injury to keep Warner off the field for an extended period in his career. The four-time first-team All-Pro hadn’t missed a game in his previous seven seasons.
In his place, the team has rotated through multiple linebackers as injuries have piled up. Tatum Bethune and rookie Nick Martin are on IR while Dee Winters and Luke Gifford may be back from IR this week. Mid-season veteran signee Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow started for San Francisco against Philadelphia in the wild-card game.
49ers injury report
Here’s a look at the final injury report for the 49ers ahead of Saturday’s game in Seattle:
- S Ji’Ayir Brown: Out (hamstring)
- LB Fred Warner: Out (ankle)
- WR Jacob Cowing: Questionable (hamstring)
- LB Luke Gifford: Questionable (quadricep)
- WR Ricky Pearsall: Questionable (knee)
- LB Dee Winters: Questionable (ankle)
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos: Did not practice (knee)
- G Dominic Puni: Full practice (ankle)
- DE Keion White: Full practice (groin, hamstring)
- OT Trent Williams: Full practice (hamstring)