49ers take major step toward Fred Warner's return

Story byMike Masala, Niners WireTue, January 13, 2026 at 8:46 PM UTC·1 min readSan Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner was in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year earlier this month before suffering a dislocated and fractured ankle in the team's Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since then, the 49ers have gotten even thinner at the position, with Tatum Bethune and Nick Martin joining him on injured reserve, and guys like Dee Winters, Curtis Robinson and Luke Gifford missing time. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile San Francisco prepares for their divisional round showdown with the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, they've taken the first step to getting Warner back on the field, as head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that the team is opening Warner's practice window. This window gives Warner 21 days to practice and return to the active roster, or he'll miss the rest of the year. With just three weeks left in the season, this move makes some sense. The 49ers can see where he's at, and they don't ever have to play him if he's not healthy enough. Warner has made it clear he's ready to return now, but the team wants to wait and see. It's unlikely that he'll play against the Seahawks, no matter how he looks over the next few days. More 49ers: 49ers WR earned one final contract incentive in playoff win vs.