It is generally assumed that San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner is out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken and dislocated ankle last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was carted off the field and underwent surgery, and it was a devastating injury for a 49ers squad that has already been hit extremely hard by the injury bug dating back to the start of training camp last year.
It is clear that when healthy, the Niners are a very good team and perhaps a Super Bowl contender. But they have rarely been healthy enough over the last year and a half to compete hard against the NFL’s best teams.
San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh told the media that, knowing Warner’s mentality, the four-time Pro Bowler is “probably gunning” for a return in January during the playoffs.
"He's a Hall of Famer. First ballot period and he still has so many years left in the tank. For the season to end the way it did, it's shameful, but at the same time, we all know Fred, he's probably gunning to see if he can make it back for a playoff run. He's in great spirits. The surgery went great. He's going to be around the building the entire time, but I hurt more for Fred than anything else."
Warner is widely considered arguably the best Mike linebacker in all of football, and like many star middle linebackers, he is the leader of the 49ers’ defense. Their defense had looked largely revitalized this season following the return of Saleh, who had been the team’s defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020 and had been the New York Jets’ head coach from 2021 until midway through last year.
The 28-year-old has always had a growth mindset and has been a fan of the “Mamba Mentality” of late NBA great Kobe Bryant. That will certainly help him as he rehabs from his severe injury.
Medically, perhaps it’s possible for Warner to return before the end of the season. Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported that, according to two orthopedic surgeons, Warner could likely be ready to play again during the Super Bowl.
Of course, it seems very doubtful that the Niners will make it to the big game without Warner, as well as without star pass rusher Nick Bosa, who is out for the year with a torn ACL. They’re also currently without starting quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, although tight end George Kittle, who injured his hamstring in Week 1, is expected to return to action this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons.
February’s Super Bowl will take place at Levi’s Stadium, the 49ers’ home arena.
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