Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw have formed one of the NFL's best linebacker duos and one of the finest in San Francisco 49ers history since the days of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. This season, however, the defense has missed Greenlaw's fierce intensity as he recovers from the torn Achilles he suffered during Super Bowl LVIII.
While Greenlaw was always expected to return this season, his exact timeline has remained unclear. The linebacker had hoped to be ready by Week 1, though the 49ers were less optimistic. Greenlaw started the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but he's now getting closer to rejoining his teammates.
"Dre's coming along well, I can tell you that," general manager John Lynch recently said. "He is working arduously to come back, but that's a significant injury, and it takes time. There's markers that he has to hit, and he's doing really well. I can tell Dre is getting more excited as we get closer. I don't have any updates as to exactly when it will be, but I can tell you he's really progressing.
"We expect him to play at some point this year, and we're patiently waiting because we know when Dre is out there, he's such a difference maker. He's one of my favorite players to watch—the speed, the violence. He's a tone-setter for the 49ers, so you've got to be patient. But man, we can't wait until he comes back."
On Tuesday morning, Warner joined Bay Area radio station KNBR to provide his own update on Greenlaw.
"Dre is doing great," Warner said. "I see him every day doing his rehab. Obviously, [he] is in great spirits regardless of not being out there on the field. He's on track with everything. He looks great. And I do miss him. I miss him a lot.
"We're talking about one of the best defensive players in the entire NFL, regardless of position, in my mind. So anytime you're missing a key playmaker and a leader for us, when he's not out there, it's a big deal."
While Warner didn't provide specific details on Greenlaw's return timeline, he added, "He'll be back in good time, when he's [completely healthy] and ready to go."
Warner and the 49ers are preparing to host the Kansas City Chiefs in a highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch at Levi's Stadium. Fans eagerly await Greenlaw's eventual return, reuniting one of the league's most formidable linebacker tandems.
You can listen to Warner's entire interview below.