Total Pro Sports
In October, Fred Warner suffered an injury during a game at Raymond James Stadium. The All-Pro LB suffered a gruesome right leg injury while trying to tackle RB Rachaad White.
Warner was accidentally hit by a teammate on the play, was carted off, and had his leg put in an air cast. His season appeared to be over.
At 11-4, the 49ers had to deal with his loss as well as Nick Bosa tearing his ACL. Warner underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured and dislocated right ankle. It led to his placement on injured reserve for the season.
With the playoffs around the corner, the 49ers received some huge news on Friday. John Lynch revealed star linebacker Fred Warner may be eyeing a return to the field for the NFL playoffs. It’s a shocking turn of events considering the gruesome injury Warner sustained in early October.
The 49ers are evaluating a potential playoff return for LB Fred Warner after strong progress in ankle rehab, per GM John Lynch. pic.twitter.com/pRr592lKh2
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 26, 2025
Pro Football doctor David J. Chao previously said Warner’s season would be over. It appears he was wrong.
San Francisco lost a pair of heart-and-soul defensive stars in Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to major injuries earlier this season. Bosa will not return after tearing his ACL in Week 3. Warner will be back.
If the 49ers secure the top spot and land a first-round bye, it could make a Warner comeback more likely. He underwent surgery in mid-October. There’s now a possibility Warner will factor in during the playoffs.
The 49ers’ defense ranks around the middle to lower-middle of the league in total yards allowed. Since Warner’s departure, the team has given up 21+ points regularly. Adding Fred Warner back could change everything for them going forward.
