There’s been some good news for the ’49ers Faithful’ regarding the availability of All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.
He’s back … kind of.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday that Warner’s practice window has officially opened. Warner dislocated his right ankle in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
‘We’re opening his window so he can do some stuff,’ 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.’
Shanahan is looking at a possible Warner return in the NFC championship game or Super Bowl.
But Warner didn’t rule out a possible return in the NFC divisional round game against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks.
‘We’re taking it day by day,’ Warner told reporters Wednesday. ‘I think they said last week they weren’t going to open my window, and then my window is now open. So, we’re just taking it day by day.’
Warner said that they’re still deciding if he’ll travel with the team to Seattle.
He was a participant at practice dressed in pads and a helmet and took part in individual drills.
‘I feel amazing,’ Warner told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. ‘Just so grateful, blessed to be back. I think, obviously, when all this happened, I didn’t really think about the possibility of returning in-season. But the way things progressed and being able to have this opportunity to be back with my teammates, have a chance at helping them win this week and so on and so forth, that’s my only goal moving forward.’
Warner made 53 total tackles ― 28 solo, 23 assisted ― in six games before missing the majority of the season with an ankle fracture. He added two forced fumbles and one recovery.
The eight-year, All-Pro linebacker has spent all of his career with San Francisco after the 49ers selected him 70th overall in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Warner is currently third all-time in 49ers history with 597 tackles, behind Ronnie Lott and Patrick Willis. Warner is the 49ers’ all-time leader in assisted tackles with 351, according to Pro Football Reference.
