Field Gulls
The San Francisco 49ers lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that is secondary to their long-term loss of their defensive leader.
Fred Warner, the star middle linebacker and one of the NFL’s premier players regardless of position, was the victim of his own teammate falling into him. The end result was a graphic ankle injury and a cast on his right foot. The worst fears were confirmed after he was carted to the locker room, and Warner is done for the year.
The 49ers already are without Nick Bosa for the remainder of the year with an ACL tear, so their two best defensive players are not going to be back any time soon. Warner’s absence was immediately felt, as the 49ers pass defense was unable to cope with Baker Mayfield and had several coverage busts in the second-level and the secondary. It’s a devastating way for Warner’s season to end; he’d missed only one start in his entire career up until now.
San Francisco may be 4-2, but you can only overcome so many injuries before it falls apart. Offensively, the 49ers will likely get Brock Purdy and George Kittle back as soon as next week. Brandon Aiyuk should return sooner rather than later, likewise Ricky Pearsall, although Jauan Jennings is also on the banged up list. The defense has been ravaged and now the worst case scenario has materialized.
All the best to Warner in his recovery. As for the 49ers, their road back to the playoffs and the NFC West title just took another massive blow.
