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San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner suffered a gruesome ankle injury that caused him to receive an air cast and leave the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.
The injury occurred midway through the first quarter, as Buccaneers running back Rachaad White had a 10-yard run with Ji’Ayir Brown tackling him. But, while making the play to knock White to the turf, Brown rolled over Warner, and it appeared his ankle had become trapped under his body.
A video review showed the brutal nature of the injury, and players from the 49ers and Buccaneers moved to the sideline to get medical personnel out quickly. Buccaneers receiver Tez Johnson was one of them, and he even put his hands on his helmet in disbelief after seeing Warner’s injury up close.
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San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025. (Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
It didn’t take long for the 49ers’ medical team to put a cast on Warner, and he was on the back of a cart on his way to the tunnel. Warner looked in disbelief as he looked out onto the field.
If the injury is serious enough to end Warner’s season, it would be another critical defensive piece for this lost 49ers team for the remainder of the season.
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San Francisco already lost star defensive end Nick Bosa, who tore his ACL in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. Warner, the middle linebacker who serves as the 49ers’ defensive captain, would be a huge loss.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs for a gain past San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025. (Jonathan Dyer/Imagn Images)
Warner entered this game leading the 49ers in tackles (50) and second on the team in passes defensed (3). Warner has also forced two fumbles and recovered one this season.
Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers is carried off the field after being injured in the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The eight-year BYU veteran has totaled at least 130 tackles every season since 2021, cementing himself as one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
