Robert Saleh reveals Fred Warner may target shocking playoff return

Robert Saleh reveals Fred Warner may target shocking playoff return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner is facing a long road to recovery after breaking and dislocating his right ankle during last Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 28-year-old defensive leader was carted off the field and later underwent surgery, marking another devastating blow for a 49ers team already depleted by injuries.

Despite the setback, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh suggested that Warner, known for his unmatched work ethic, could aim for an improbable comeback in time for the postseason.

“He’s a Hall of Famer. First ballot period and he still has so many years left in the tank,” Saleh said. “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.”

Warner’s injury underscores 49ers’ struggle to stay healthy

Warner’s injury symbolizes the continuing health crisis for San Francisco, which has struggled to field a complete roster since last year’s training camp. When healthy, the 49ers have shown flashes of being a Super Bowl-caliber team, but a string of serious injuries has consistently derailed their momentum.

Before Sunday’s incident, Warner was once again performing at an All-Pro level. Through five games this season, his name had reentered the Defensive Player of the Year conversation.

The four-time All-Pro had been one of the league’s most durable players, missing just one of 133 possible games since entering the NFL in 2018. Over that stretch, he logged 6,993 defensive snaps, ranking seventh among all defenders, and had been listed as questionable only three times.

Warner was closing in on several career milestones, sitting just four tackles shy of surpassing Hall of Famer Patrick Willis as the 49ers’ all-time leading tackler with 947.

He had also forced 17 fumbles, tied for fifth-most in the league, and joined Shaquille Leonard as one of only two players since 2018 with double digits in sacks, passes defended, interceptions, and forced fumbles.

Saleh said Warner’s surgery “went great” and confirmed the linebacker remains in good spirits.

“He’s going to be around the building the entire time,” Saleh added. “I hurt more for Fred than anything else.”

According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, two orthopedic surgeons suggested Warner might be physically ready to play by February, just in time for the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium.

Whether San Francisco can reach that stage without him is uncertain, especially with Nick Bosa (ACL), Brock Purdy (toe), and Ricky Pearsall (knee) also sidelined.

Still, Warner’s relentless mindset, shaped by his admiration for Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality,” is expected to drive his recovery. As Saleh put it, no one doubts that Warner will “gun” for another shot to lead his team when it matters most.

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