Any hopes that All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner could make his return in time for the San Francisco 49ers’ divisional-round matchup against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend was shut down by his coach Thursday.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Warner will not be activated off injured reserve for the contest, ensuring that the San Francisco captain must wait at least another week to return if San Francisco is still alive in the playoffs.
Warner, who suffered a dislocated and broken right ankle in Week 6 and has been on injured reserve since then, had his 21-day practice window opened earlier this week.
Shanahan added that Warner has “looked good” in practice and the coach is confident he could return for the NFC championship game if the 49ers win this weekend, while adding, “We’ll see if it works out.”
San Francisco, the NFC’s No. 6 seed, will face NFC No. 1 seed Seattle at Lumen Field on Saturday (6 p.m. MST, Fox), with the winner moving one victory away from appearing in Super Bowl LX.
When Warner talked with reporters in the locker room Wednesday, he left the door open to returning this weekend.
“We’re taking it day by day,” Warner said, per 49ersWebzone.com. “I think they said last week they weren’t going to open my window, and then, my window’s now open, so we’re just taking it day by day. The expectation is to continue to take it day by day and see where we’re at.”
Warner started the interview session by sharing his appreciation for his recovery being at a point where he was able to have the practice window opened.
“I feel amazing,” Warner said. “Let me just say, just so grateful, blessed to be back, and 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, and have a chance at helping them win this weekend, and so on and so forth, that’s my only goal moving forward.”
This is the first injury in Warner’s eight-year NFL career that has caused him to miss significant time.
Warner said he played through a fractured ankle during the 2024 season.