Have the San Francisco 49ers hit rock bottom? All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner went down with an injury in the Niners’ most recent game. Known for his remarkable skills and leadership on the field, Warner’s absence raises questions about how the team will fill the void left by one of the NFL’s premier linebackers. His injury puts a big crimp into those personal goals. More importantly, it sets up a big question mark for the 49ers’ defensive approach as they move along in 2023.
Warner has evolved into a centerpiece of the 49ers’ defense. This past season he logged an incredible 6,993 snaps, the seventh-highest amount of any defender in the league. Just as talk started swirling about his place at the top of the linebacker pack late last season, Warner didn’t mince words. He mentioned that he was doing better under the hood, better under the first five games of the 2025 season. His name had at one point even come up in discussions for the DPOY award.
Since joining the NFL in 2018, Warner has established outstanding durability. He has now suited up for 132 out of 133 possible games, including postseason contests, in his six-year career. Remarkably, he’s never been more than questionable on the injury report during this stretch, only appearing as such once in the last three seasons. This past Sunday, in particular, began to take a very dark turn. He was unable to go, as he suffered a serious injury that will keep him out of the lineup.
“When we’re all out there together, you can feel it and when one person’s not out there, you can feel it.” – Ji’Ayir Brown
Warner’s loss would be a killer, but it is especially disheartening given the 49ers’ struggles as a whole on defense. Compounding that concern is the lack of star defensive end Nick Bosa. And defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has made it clear how much of an influence Warner is. He announced, “In my mind, he’s already a Hall of Famer.” As both players deal with this big loss, players and coaches all recognize it’s a tall order.
Seventh-round rookie Tatum Bethune now finds himself at the forefront as Warner’s top backup option. In his first big chance, Bethune—stepping in for Warner—recorded ten tackles while getting the start in Sunday’s game. The bills have begun rolling out in Congress, and the rookie continued to impress with his call for resilience considering the situation.
“You prepare as a starter for reasons like this. Fred getting hurt was unfortunate but this is why we are all professionals and we’ve all got a job to do.” – Tatum Bethune
Head coach Kyle Shanahan recognized that Warner’s injury complicates matters for the team but emphasized the need to move forward. Our coaching staff is fully engaged in the trade market. They’re not trying to expand their roster and ease the transition from losing their once-in-a-generation star linebacker.
“Now with both of ’em not out there, it’s even more daunting.” – Ji’Ayir Brown
With Warner on the shelf, other players have started to become vocal in leadership roles. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir expressed his desire to drive the team in the proper direction while navigating this difficult stretch. He admitted to feeling the increased weight of responsibility thrown on him with both Warner and Bosa not available to play.
“Obviously a Pro Bowl, All-Pro and all that stuff, but one of my goals was to be a leader and I’m in the bigger spotlight now that Fred is down, Bosa is down… I’ve got to be that guy.” – Deommodore Lenoir
Luke Gifford, where to begin hailing Warner’s influence. He explained how the expectation of Warner being there creates a standard for other teammates to reach. The effect of Warner’s leadership style and performance should not be overlooked as the team looks to adapt in his absence.
“The thing about Fred is that he sets the standard and I think everybody rises to the standard that he’s set.” – Luke Gifford
As the 49ers prepare for their next matchups, they need to figure out different ways to adjust and play without Warner’s presence. Simultaneously, they must keep their home defensive advantage strong while doing so. It’s clear the road ahead will take cooperation and flexibility on the part of all actors as they join to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
Leave a Reply