Fred Warner injury update: 49ers star LB carted off the field after gruesome injury

In the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner suffered an apparent lower-body injury. He had to be carted off the field after the medical staff examined him.

Warner grabbed at his right knee after going down with the injury. Warner is a key piece on the 49ers’ defense and is a four-time First-Team All-Pro, including the last three seasons. Before leaving the game Sunday, Warner recorded one tackle.

Warner entered the game on Sunday with 50 tackles this season. He also boasts three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Fred Warner left today’s game with an air cast on his right leg

His right ankle was facing the other way

-Likely out the year with a fracture/and or dislocation pic.twitter.com/sNm2m5lBUt

— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) October 12, 2025

Warner was spectacular for the 49ers last season, tallying 131 tackles, seven pass breakups, four forced fumbles, a sack and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. In turn, Warner signed a three-year, $63 million contract extension with the 49ers in May.

Fred Warner has enjoyed a relatively injury-free career. He suffered an ankle injury last season, but didn’t miss any time.

Warner is only the latest 49er to go down with an injury. The team is currently without quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall, and defensive lineman Nick Bosa.

Despite the team’s injury issues this season, the 49ers are currently 4-1. Earlier this week, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed how he approaches games with so many of his standout players sidelined.

“I love finding ways to win games that you can easily lose,” Shanahan said. “I don’t really look into the road or away or when you do it. It really doesn’t matter. I’ve been 5-0 and not made the playoffs. I’ve been 0-4 and have made the playoffs. So, you don’t look into really any of that stuff. It just all matters what your record is when you add up to 17, not the order of how you do it.

“… [The players] haven’t worried about really anything except being as good as they can be in practice and that carrying over to games. I think that’s how it’s been in these five games. Just as easily you can lose all five and be 0-5, and we found a way to be 4-1. Regardless of any of the games, even the one we lost, I’ve just been proud of how they’ve been going about it.”

As of this report, the 49ers haven’t released any further information on Warner’s condition. He is not expected to return to the game.