The San Francisco 49ers are riding high after knocking off the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 on the road Sunday.
Brock Purdy threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey late in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings threw a trick-play touchdown. The defense held strong when it mattered most. San Francisco is moving on to face the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round.
But as the 49ers prepare for their NFC West rival, one question continues to linger: Will Fred Warner return?
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked Monday about the possibility of opening Warner’s practice window this week. His answer was immediate and blunt.
“Not very high,” Shanahan said, per The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.
That is not the news 49ers fans wanted to hear. But it is the reality of where things stand with their All-Pro linebacker.
Kyle Shanahan “Not very high.”
Why Fred Warner’s Return Remains Unlikely This Week
GettyFred Warner #54 of the San Francisco 49ers.
Warner has been out since Week 6 after suffering an ankle injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was initially ruled out for the season. However, reports have surfaced in recent weeks suggesting that the four-time All-Pro could return if the 49ers made a deep playoff run.
Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that Warner has “blown past all his rehab markers” and that there is hope he could play if San Francisco reaches the NFC Championship Game.
“Fred Warner has blown past all his rehab markers. I’m actually told, if they get to the NFC Championship Game, they’re holding out hope. They think there could be a chance that Fred Warner could actually go in that game,” Glazer said.
That means the 49ers need one more win to make Warner’s return a realistic possibility.
But for this week’s divisional round matchup against Seattle, Shanahan made it clear that fans should not get their hopes up. Warner was seen doing light running on the side during Thursday’s practice, which fueled speculation about his potential availability. Shanahan’s comments, however, suggest that those workouts are still part of his rehab process and not a sign that he is close to being cleared for game action.
The 49ers are being cautious with their highest-paid linebacker. Warner signed a three-year, $63 million contract extension in the offseason, making him the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. Rushing him back too soon could risk further injury and jeopardize his availability for the rest of the playoffs—or even next season.
Fred Warner Is Clearly Feeling Good About the Niners’ Win
While Warner may not be on the field yet, he is clearly locked in on what his team is doing.
After Sunday’s win over the Eagles, Warner took to X to celebrate.
“Get yall rest Philly!! Hahahaa DUB CITYYYY!!!!!!” Warner posted on X.
That kind of energy from a player who is sidelined shows just how invested Warner remains in this team’s success. He may not be able to contribute on the field yet, but he is still a leader in the locker room and a vocal presence supporting his teammates.
The 49ers have found ways to win without him. Linebacker Garret Wallow led the team with 11 total tackles against Philadelphia after recording just nine total tackles during the entire regular season. The defense has stepped up in Warner’s absence, and that depth will be crucial as the 49ers continue their playoff push.
What the 49ers Accomplished Without Fred Warner Against the Eagles
GettyTrent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers.
Sunday’s win was not pretty, but it was effective.
Purdy threw for 262 yards but also had two interceptions courtesy of All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. Fortunately for San Francisco, the Eagles managed just three points off those turnovers. Philadelphia’s offense was lethargic for most of the game. Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts threw for only 168 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles totaled just 36 yards in the third quarter on 16 plays.
The 49ers capitalized on Philadelphia’s struggles. Jennings’ 29-yard trick-play touchdown pass to McCaffrey gave San Francisco a 17-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Eagles would briefly retake the lead on a 33-yard field goal by Jake Elliott, but Purdy and McCaffrey responded with the go-ahead score late in the game.
McCaffrey summed up the 49ers’ mentality after the win.
“Our team fights,” McCaffrey told Fox after the game. “We take each day at a time and go as hard as we can every single time. I love this group so much. I don’t have enough good things to say about it. Proud to be a part of this team.”
The 49ers will need that same mentality against Seattle. The NFC West rivals split the season series. San Francisco won the opener 17-13 in Seattle, but the Seahawks returned the favor with a 13-3 win in the regular-season finale at Levi’s Stadium. That loss cost the 49ers the division title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
What the 49ers Must Do to Reach the NFC Championship Game
GettySeattle Seahawks QB Sam Darnold and San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy
The path forward is clear. Beat Seattle, and the 49ers are one win away from the Super Bowl. Additionally, a win over the Seahawks would put Warner’s potential return back on the table.
But getting past Seattle will not be easy. The Seahawks opened as 6.5-point favorites, and the 49ers will once again be playing on the road. They will also be without star tight end George Kittle, who tore his right Achilles tendon late in the first half against Philadelphia.
Shanahan confirmed the injury after the game, meaning the 49ers will have to rely even more heavily on their depth moving forward.
Still, this team has shown it can win in difficult situations. They just knocked off the defending Super Bowl champions on the road without Kittle for most of the game. If they can replicate that performance in Seattle, they will give themselves a chance to get Warner back for the NFC Championship Game.
Final Word for the 49ers
Kyle Shanahan’s comments about Fred Warner were direct and honest.
The chances of Warner returning this week are “not very high.” That is disappointing for 49ers fans who were hoping to see their All-Pro linebacker back on the field sooner rather than later.
But Shanahan is being smart. Rushing Warner back too soon could do more harm than good. If the 49ers can beat Seattle without him, they will have earned another week to let Warner continue his rehab and potentially return for the NFC Championship Game.
The 49ers have proven they can win without their best defensive player. Now, they just need one more win to make his return a realistic possibility.
If Warner does come back, it will be at the perfect time. And if the 49ers can keep winning without him, it shows just how deep and resilient this roster truly is.
49ers Get Blunt Update on Fred Warner Ahead of Seahawks Game