Will we see Fred Warner again this season?
That’s the question running through the minds of the 49ers Faithful as San Francisco continues its postseason run. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan has said it’s highly unlikely the All-Pro linebacker will return for the divisional round against the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks, but what about after that?
In what might be a sign that his postseason comeback bid is still alive, Warner posted a video on Instagram on January 12 showing him running as he continues to rehab a severe right ankle injury that ended his 2025 regular season after just six games.
Warner, the 49ers’ defensive signal-caller and one of the NFL’s most best linebackers, suffered a broken and dislocated right ankle in the first quarter of a 30-19 loss at Tampa Bay on October 12, an injury that sent him to injured reserve. Will he be ready for the NFC championship if the Niners get that far? He could be, but he likely won’t be the same player.
Famed Football Doc on Instagram Video of Fred Warner Running, Shares Thoughts
David Chao, who’s often referred to as the “Pro Football Doc,” is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and nationally recognized expert in sports injuries, particularly those involving NFL players. He previously served as the longtime head team physician for the then-San Diego Chargers and has evaluated thousands of professional football injuries over his career.
“#FredWarner is a great athlete,” Chao wrote on X. “He may be able to help @49ers soon (But this not the sideline to sideline LB…yet).”
The timing of Warner’s injury this year was absolutely brutal. The veteran LB had played in all but one game across his first seven NFL seasons, and the Niners had just lost All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa to a torn ACL weeks before.
Warner Has Been One of 49ers Most Dominant Players
GettySan Francisco 49ers All-Pro Fred Warner shared a video of himself running on Instagram this week.
Warner’s abbreviated 2025 stat line included 51 total tackles and two forced fumbles in six games. If nothing else, his IG post showed that his rehab has progressed to straight-line running, which is something that typically requires both bone healing and regained stability. That’s definitely encouraging.
So, if San Francisco advances against the Seahawks, could Warner make it back for the NFC championship game or even the Super Bowl?
In practical terms, it’s possible, but you can bet the team will heavily consider the risk of a setback. Warner very likely won’t be 100% if he does come back yet in the postseason, so it’ll be a difficult decision for Shanahan and company. That said, Warner at 70% or 80% is still a pretty fearsome force that offenses would be forced to account for.
As Shanahan said, he likely won’t be around for the divisional matchup. The Niners and Seahawks split their regular season series, and Seattle clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed in Week 18. The Seahawks will be looking for their first NFC championship game appearance since the 2014 season, and will have home-field advantage.
If the 49ers manage to extend their run, there’s no doubt Warner’s rehab will remain one of the postseason’s most watched subplots. Stay tuned.
49ers LB Fred Warner’s New Instagram Post Fuels Return Speculation