49ers Rule Out Fred Warner for Saturday’s Clash with Seahawks, Eyes Set on NFC Title Game Return
SANTA CLARA - The 49ers will be without one of their most critical defensive leaders when they take the field Saturday night against the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner has officially been ruled out due to an ankle injury that’s sidelined him since midseason.
Warner was present at Thursday’s practice but notably without a helmet - a clear sign he wasn’t expected to suit up. Despite being listed as a limited participant earlier in the week, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Warner will not be activated for the divisional matchup.
The 49ers, currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs, are set for a high-stakes showdown in Seattle with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line. Shanahan expressed optimism that Warner could be ready if San Francisco advances, with the goal of having him available for the conference title game on Jan. 25.
Warner’s injury - a fractured and dislocated right ankle suffered in Week 6 against Tampa Bay - required surgery just two days after the game. The team opened his practice window this week, but with Warner still on injured reserve, he would have needed to be activated to the 53-man roster by 1 p.m. Saturday to be eligible.
Without Warner, the 49ers will likely turn to veteran Eric Kendricks and rookie Dee Winters to hold down the every-down linebacker duties. Winters, who missed last week’s win over the Eagles with an ankle injury, is officially listed as questionable. If he can’t go, the linebacker depth will be tested even further - especially with Luke Gifford also questionable due to a quadriceps issue.
On the offensive side, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is trending in the right direction but remains questionable with a knee injury. Pearsall was limited in practice throughout the week but looked sharp running routes at full speed.
He led the team with an average of 58.7 receiving yards per game during the regular season, despite being limited to just nine games. His return would be a boost for a 49ers offense that could use another reliable target in a hostile playoff environment.
Safety Ji’Ayir Brown has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury, meaning rookie Marques Sigle is expected to return to the starting lineup. Sigle logged 40 snaps in last Sunday’s 23-19 win over Philadelphia and started the first seven games of the season before his role diminished. With Brown sidelined, Sigle has a chance to re-establish himself on the back end of the defense at a crucial time.
Here’s a full look at the 49ers’ injury report heading into Saturday’s playoff matchup:
Out:
- LB Fred Warner (ankle)
- S Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring)
Questionable:
- WR Ricky Pearsall (knee)
- LB Dee Winters (ankle)
- LB Luke Gifford (quadriceps)
- WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring)
Seahawks Injury Report:
Out:
- T Josh Jones (knee)
Questionable:
- QB Sam Darnold (oblique)
With Warner sidelined, Pearsall’s status uncertain, and multiple key contributors banged up, the 49ers will need a next-man-up mentality when they step into Lumen Field on Saturday night. But if they can find a way past Seattle, reinforcements - including their defensive heartbeat - could be waiting just around the corner.