Niners Nation
The San Francisco 49ers added Eric Kendricks to the practice squad, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ended up being the starting MIKE linebacker in the playoffs. Tatum Bethune has been incredible relative to expectations, but this coaching staff has relied heavily on experience. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both players contribute in some capacity.
Fred Warner, who sustained a dislocated ankle on October 12, was expected to miss the rest of the 2025 season, including the playoffs. According to 49ers general manager John Lynch, there’s an outside chance the Niners won’t need Kendricks or Bethune:
“Well, medically, no, I mean, the docs say it’s probably on the wrong side of the range that they would suggest. But even the docs with Fred say, ‘You know what, let him rehab as if he’s coming back for something and we’ll see where he’s at.” “And so we’ll follow the orders of the doctors. They’ll control this, but Fred is going to push the limits, and he is doing everything possible. He lives in a hyperbaric chamber [for] two, three hours a day. He’s here all the time. He’s unbelievable, this guy. It’s what made him who he is.”
That’s an excerpt from an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.
The timeline varies based on ligament damage, whether fractures were involved, and the physical demands of return. It’s worth noting that, as with any injury, any athlete rushing tissue repair does not come without risk. In Warner’s case, his return could be anywhere from 10 to 16 weeks, with the latter more likely. The window is wide because every athlete is different, and not all dislocations are equal.
Warner had surgery on the Monday after, on October 13. The earliest date of return, that 10-week mark, is December 22. To be safe, 16 weeks out is February 2, the week after the NFC Championship game. Again, a wide range of outcomes, with so many moving parts and uncertainties, makes it difficult to say when, or if, Warner could come back.
The better the 49ers do in the postseason, the more likely they’ll get their All-Pro linebacker back. It’s also important to note that not all athletes heal the same way. There are plenty of examples across multiple teams of players returning earlier than expected. Pro athletes are not rehabbing like your day-to-day person because there are bigger stakes at hand. We’re also talking about a unique athlete with zero injury history and a drive that would seem foolish to doubt.
Anything can happen. This season has been full of unexpected turns. Warner’s return would fall in line with the rollercoaster of the 49ers’ season.
