TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 12: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field after sustaining a leg injury during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
Fred Warner is carted off the field on Oct. 12, 2025.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner suffered a season-ending injury to his right ankle during their loss to the Buccaneers on Oct. 12
Coach Kyle Shanahan called it a "huge blow" to their team to lose "one of our best players" and a "huge leader" of the group
Warner reflected on the injury the following morning, reassuring fans he'll be back after recovering from surgery
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner says he is ready to come back stronger than before after suffering a gruesome, season-ending injury in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Warner, 28, needed to be carted off the field in the first quarter of the game on Sunday, Oct. 12, after a collision with his teammate Ji'Ayir Brown and the Buccaneers' Rachaad White led to Warner suffering a broken and dislocated right ankle.
As he was leaving the field on a cart, the 49ers star, who is expecting his second child with wife Sydney, appeared to be in good spirits, even smiling before head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that his linebacker would need to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 12: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 12: Fred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
On Monday, Oct. 13, Warner reflected on his injury and upcoming recovery in a post on Instagram.
"There’s certain games you wake up knowing it’s gonna be your day, and yesterday was one of those days," Warner began. "I knew I was bout to go off, and then boom everything over in one instant that was completely unpreventable."
The linebacker said the love that he's received from fans, friends and family, as well as the prayers he's received since the injury, means "the world" to him.
"Some ask why I was able to smile on the cart heading in and it’s because (aside from the shock) I have complete peace in knowing Gods plan is so completely perfect and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be," Warner wrote.
He concluded, "I’ve had the privilege of being able to have a very healthy 8 seasons and now it’s time to inspire through the comeback I’m bout to have. It will be LEGENDARY and right on time God willing. Thank you guys, love always GO NINERS🙏🏾❤️"
Shanahan addressed Warner's injury after the game, telling reporters that Warner is "one of our best players" and "also a huge leader," per ESPN. "So, obviously, a huge blow," Shanahan continued, "I feel bad for Fred right now."
Brown, who was involved in the collision that led to Warner's injury, also spoke to reporters after the game.
"I was right there when it happened," Brown said, "Seeing him go down, a guy that doesn't go down, you know what I mean? It's draining. I think it kind of drained the stadium. Everybody felt that."
The NFL vet's wife Sydney Warner reshared her husband's post on her Instagram Stories and wrote, "It's God's plan always. Keep the faith."