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San Francisco 49ers All-Pro middle linebacker Fred Warner suffered a dislocated ankle and will miss the remainder of the 2025 NFL season, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed to reporters during his postgame press conference after Sunday's (October 12) loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Dislocated, think it broke, too. So, will end up having surgery," Shanahan said via USA TODAY.
"It's big. I mean, any time you lose one of your best players, also a huge leader, so obviously a huge blow. Feel bad for Fred right now. He was in good spirits, though. He's got a good foundation. Got a lot of faith in Tatum [Bethune]. He's the next man up and he's going to have to do it throughout the year," Shanahan added.
Warner, 28, was carted off the field after suffering the injury in the first quarter with a replay appearing to show the linebacker getting rolled up on as safety Ji'Ayir Brown tackled Buccaneers running back Rachaad White. Warner's right leg was put in an air cast before he was carted off the field and taken into the locker room as multiple teammates and Buccaneers offensive players kneeling on the field.
Warner widely regarded as the best middle linebacker in the NFL, is coming off his third consecutive season as a first-team All-Pro and fourth since 2020, having recorded 131 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two QB hits, four forced fumbles, seven passes defensed and two interceptions, including one for a touchdown. The former BYU standout entered Sunday's game with 50 tackles and two tackles for loss, having recorded one additional tackle prior to his injury.
The Niners had already lost Pro Bowler pass rusher Nick Bosa for the entire season in September.