The San Francisco 49ers walked into Raymond James Stadium sitting 4-1 and leading the NFC West. They walked out 4-2 with their season hanging by a thread. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner got carted off the field in the first quarter with an air cast wrapped around his right leg after a brutal injury.
Fred Warner Suffers Broken And Dislocated Ankle, Ending His Iron Man Streak After Missing Just One Game In Eight Seasons
Fred Warner Suffers Broken And Dislocated Ankle, Ending His Iron Man Streak After Missing Just One Game In Eight Seasons (Screenshot Via X/@OurSf49ers)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed after the 30-19 loss that Warner suffered a broken and dislocated ankle requiring surgery. The 29-year-old’s season is done, joining Nick Bosa on the sidelines for the rest of 2025.
Fred Warner Suffers Broken And Dislocated Ankle, Ending His Iron Man Streak After Missing Just One Game In Eight Seasons
Warner went down chasing a run play when his leg got rolled up from behind. His right ankle twisted in a direction ankles should never twist.
He grabbed his lower leg immediately while athletic trainersrushed onto the field. Medical staff placed an air cast on his leg before loading him onto the cart.
The 49ers ruled him out within minutes. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini laterreported Warner suffered a dislocated ankle.
NEWS: 49ers LB Fred Warner suffered a dislocated right ankle Sunday vs. the Buccaneers, per source.
San Francisco’s All-Pro linebacker will meet with doctors to determine how much time he will miss. pic.twitter.com/KQoWfyITLk
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 12, 2025
Shanahan delivered theworst possible update postgame, confirming the break and dislocation. Surgery comes next. The season ends now.
Kyle Shanahan says #49ers All-Pro LB Fred Warner has a broken and dislocated ankle. Will need surgery. pic.twitter.com/d7sGLygLQQ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 12, 2025
This marks the first major injury of Warner’s career. The fourth-round pick from BYU missed just one game across seven-plus seasons before Sunday.
Entire 49ers bench cleared to check on Fred Warner 🥺 pic.twitter.com/lSmAmxSn1i
— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) October 12, 2025
Since entering the league in 2018, he’s led San Francisco in tackles every season. Warner has never recorded fewer than 118 tackles and has posted more than 130 in each of the past three years while earning first-team All-Pro honors.
Warner’s resume speaks for itself. He has four first-team All-Pro selections, ten sacks, thirty-eight tackles for loss, seventeen forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
This Fred Warner injury has me absolutely gutted 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/FM38ZMElCD
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) October 12, 2025
He is the heartbeat of San Francisco’s defense, calling plays and controlling the middle of the field like few linebackers can.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Nick Bosa tore his ACL in Week 3 against Arizona, ending his season. That was Bosa’s second torn ACL in his NFL career, and he missed most of 2020 with the same injury.
Now Warner joins him on injured reserve. San Francisco just lost both defensive anchors in three weeks.
San Francisco 49ers Face Brutal Reality As Injury List Grows With Fred Warner And Nick Bosa Done For Year
The 49ers’ injury report looks grim. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy missed his fourth game Sunday with a toe injury.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall sat out his second straight game with a knee problem. All-Pro tight end George Kittle has not played since Week 1 after a hamstring injury.
Brandon Aiyuk still has not taken a snap this season. San Francisco entered Sunday missing its top receiver, tight end, and defensive end.
Now the team moves forward without its quarterback, All-Pro linebacker, and half of its starting lineup.
The 49ers’ depth chart is thin. Backup linebacker Tatum Bethune may take over Warner’s spot, but replacing a four-time All-Pro is nearly impossible.
Their defense ranked fifth in yards allowed entering Week 6, but that number is about to change.
The NFC West is now more competitive. The 49ers still lead at 4-2, but the Seahawks and Rams are right behind them. Arizona remains competitive despite rebuilding.
San Francisco’s championship window was already narrow with this aging roster, and losing Warner and Bosa makes it even smaller.
Next Sunday, the 49ers face the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch. Slowing down Patrick Mahomes without their two best defenders will be a considerable challenge.
Shanahan must find solutions to a roster running out of healthy players.