Fred Warner injury update: Latest on 49ers LB's status for Fantasy Football Week 5
The 49ers suffered a blow in last week's win over the Patriots when star linebacker Fred Warner left the field with an injury and did not take the field again even though he sat on the sidelines. It was later revealed that he was battling an ankle injury and San Francisco fans were left wondering how long it would be before he took the field again.
He was listed on the injury report and he did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday at all. If that had Kyler Murray hoping that Fred Warner would play on Sunday, those hopes receded a bit on Friday even as he returned to practice, albeit in a limited way.
Week 5 update on 49ers LB Fred Warner
Going into Week 5, the 49ers have a lot of defensive players who are struggling with injury issues. Linebacker Demetrius Flanningan-Fowles is confirmed out along with defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos. This probably means that Fred Warner will be risked to play against the Cardinals even though his official status is questionable.
The pass rush will be heavily dependent on him and other starters because San Francisco is struggling for depth in that area. Apart from the players who are confirmed out, linebacker Dee Winters is also trying to overcome an ankle injury like Fred Warner. Defensive lineman Jordan Elliott was a full participant in practice but is coming off of a knee injury.
Kalia Davis also had a triceps injury to contend with before returning to full practice on Friday and fellow defensive lineman Kalia Davis is questionable with a knee injury. Their secondary depth is stretched as well with safety Talanoa Hufanga battling an ankle knock, with cornerback Isaac Yiadom questionable for Week 5 with a thigh injury that saw him sit out of practice on Friday.
With the defensive options so stretched, Fred Warner will be asked to lead the unit into battle against the Cardinals. This is a crucial match for the 49ers as they currently have a 2-2 record in the 2024 NFL season and are a match behind the Seahawks in second place in the NFC West division.
Kyler Murray and his offense have been inconsistent this year but the quarterback has shown what he can do if he has time to make plays. Against the Rams, a team that San Francisco lost to earlier in the season, he had a perfect game, throwing for more than 250 yards and rushing for more than 50. Fred Warner will be tasked with the job of making sure that he does not have that luxury on Sunday.
On the offensive side of the ball, Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall have been missing all season and there were fears that George Kittle could also be out in Week 5. After battling a hamstring injury for the last two weeks, he picked up an unrelated rib injury in the match against the Patriots. That saw him sidelined from practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
But just like Fred Warner, he also returned to limited practice on Friday and there is hope that these two stalwarts will take to the field as the 49ers look to get to a winning record after the game against the Cardinals. With the Seahawks facing their first defeat of the year last week, they are now just one game ahead of San Franciso and this is an opportunity for them to close the gap.
But a loss would send Kyle Shanahan's team to a 2-3 record for 2024, tied with the Cardinals. It would put them right in the midst of an arm wrestle in the NFC West, a division that the 49ers were expected to win at a canter after reaching the Super Bowl last season.