In a year marked by catastrophic injuries, the San Francisco 49ers suffered their most devastating loss when Fred Warner was ruled out for the season. The All-Pro linebacker sustained a dislocated and broken right ankle early in San Francisco's Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Warner needed surgery on his savaged ankle and focus shifted to getting the eighth-year veteran healthy for the start of next season. But, miraculously, the 49ers opened Warner’s 21-day practice window on Tuesday. The team designated the defender for return from the IR well ahead of even the most insanely optimistic timeline.
Some in the organization held out hope that Warner might be able to play in the Super Bowl, if the 49ers were still alive. But somehow, he defied the odds and returned to practice on Wednesday. Warner participated in drills with the linebackers, per The San Francisco Standard’s David Lombardi. He even hit the blocking sled and looked spry while jogging with no brace or visible wrap on his ankle.
94 days after breaking and dislocating his ankle, Fred Warner is clearly feeling VERY good back on the 49ers practice field pic.twitter.com/78cyucTX50
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) January 14, 2026
Fred Warner practices ahead of 49ers-Seahawks Divisional clash
It’s important to note that Warner’s status for Saturday’s Divisional Round clash with the Seattle Seahawks is still very much up in the air. But just returning to practice is a remarkable accomplishment. And his presence lifted the team’s spirits ahead of a tough rematch with the NFC West champs.
“We're taking it day by day,” Warner said, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “I think they said last week they weren't going to open my window, and then my window is now open. So yeah, we're just taking it day by day.”
Following the 49ers' Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, Kyle Shanahan dismissed a potential Warner return, saying he was “not very high” on the star linebacker's practice window opening. But just three days later, the team designated him for return.
San Francisco suffered another devastating loss in the Wild Card round when George Kittle tore his Achilles. The All-Pro tight end is done for the season. And the injury-ravaged 49ers are heavy underdogs against the Seahawks in Seattle. But Warner’s return could provide a major boost, even if he isn’t quite ready to dominate on the field just yet.
