Rookie linebacker Fred Warner has already racked up 22 combined tackles in his two NFL starts. He has played in each of the San Francisco 49ers' 148 defensive snaps this season, already forced a fumble, and nearly had an interception off of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
To say that Warner's play — especially considering he is a rookie — has been impressive would be a gross understatement. But what would his dream defensive play be? Warner was asked that question during a KNBR interview on Wednesday.
"I'm kind of a pick-six guy," Warner responded. "I had two pick-sixes in college, and I feel like that's one of the best plays in football. Obviously, the strip-sack fumble recovery for a touchdown, that's hard to beat too, but I'll be cool with whatever."
Why did Warner choose the interception returned for a touchdown as his dream NFL play?
"Just having the ball in your hands, it's an exciting feeling, for sure," he added.
There's still no word on what the linebacker lineup will look like on Sunday when the 49ers visit the Kansas City Chiefs. Second-year linebacker Reuben Foster will be back on the field after serving a two-game suspension. The Niner Faithful are undoubtedly excited about the prospect of Warner lining up next to Foster.
The 49ers have two more full practices before the team boards a plane for Kansas City. No decision has been made yet on how Sunday's lineup will look. It could be a Foster-Warner pairing, which seems likely, or it could be Foster lining up next to veteran Malcolm Smith, who is working his way back from a hamstring injury.
"If I knew what way we were going to go this week, I wouldn't tell you guys," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters before Wednesday's practice, "but I do mean I don't know yet.
"Rueben hasn't been here in two weeks. Today is going to be Malcolm's first day of full practice. So, we want to see how all of those guys do and it'll be a tough decision at the end of the week, but a tough decision I'm going to be happy to have to make."
Warner knows the impact Foster can have on opposing offenses.
"We're all super excited to have Reuben back," Warner said. "Obviously, he's a playmaker and just a force out there on the field that the offense is going to have to account for. We're very excited to have him back."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Warner below.
