When Will Fred Warner Return? Latest Injury Update on 49ers LB Ahead of Week 16 vs Colts

One of the best linebackers in the NFL for quite some time is San Francisco’s Fred Warner.

Warner came into the league in 2018, where he was selected by the 49ers as a third-round pick. Warner instantly made an impact, recording 124 tackles, and three tackles for loss as a rookie. Since then, he’s put together six-straight 100+ tackle seasons.

Unfortunately for Warner, he suffered a major injury early this season that’s kept him sidelined.

What Happened To Fred Warner?

In the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they suffered a huge blow with Fred Warner going down with an injury. Warner suffered first quarter injury where his right leg was undercut by a teammate trying to make a tackle on Buccaneers running back Rachaad White.

Warner was in clear pain with his right ankle out of place and was then carted off the field.

Fred Warner left today’s game with an air cast on his right leg

His right ankle was facing the other way

-Likely out the year with a fracture/and or dislocation pic.twitter.com/sNm2m5lBUt

— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) October 12, 2025

Will Fred Warner Return This Season?

Fred Warner will not return this season. Shortly after the injury, the 49ers ruled Warner out for the remainder of the season with a broken and dislocated ankle. This was a second big blow for Arizona, who lost defensive end Joey Bosa for the rest of the season with a torn ACL in Week 3.

49ers LB Fred Warner to undergo surgery on broken, dislocated ankle. He’ll be out for the year per Kyle Shanahan. pic.twitter.com/IpXE1k5Dvb

— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025

San Francisco 49ers Control Fate In Winning NFC West

The NFC West is unarguably the best division in football. The division boasts three teams with 10+ wins with the San Francisco 49ers (10-4), Los Angeles Rams (11-4), and the Seattle Seahawks (12-3.)

Thanks to Seattle’s wild 38-37 overtime victory against the Rams last night, the 49ers have the chance to win the NFC West and earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC. All they have to do its win out.

San Fran faces the Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and the Seattle Seahawks to end the season.

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