Fred Warner isn't ruling out a postseason return. The San Francisco 49ers linebacker suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in Week 6—an injury initially believed to be season-ending. However, recent reports indicate that if the 49ers advance deep into the playoffs, Warner could rejoin the lineup.
Speaking ahead of Sunday night's matchup against the Chicago Bears, Warner acknowledged that the possibility is real.
"I've got a chance," Warner said during NBC's pregame coverage. "That's the plan. So we're going to take this thing one day at a time. There's a whole lot of different steps, and T's got to be crossed, I's got to be dotted, in order to get there, but we're on the right track."
So... you're saying there's a chance? 👏 pic.twitter.com/6ZsK851EJV
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 29, 2025
NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that Warner's return could be in play if San Francisco reaches the NFC Championship Game or Super Bowl LX, which will be held at Levi's Stadium.
"There is a chance that Warner's rehab could be going well enough for him to make a cameo in the NFC Championship Game if San Francisco is a participant or more likely Super Bowl LX, should it win the conference title," they wrote in a feature for NFL.com. "And even then, it would likely be in spot duty. Any early return might put him at risk of further injury."
General manager John Lynch recently suggested that Warner is ahead of schedule in his recovery.
"I think it's made a lot of people kind of reexamine, 'Okay, would this be possible?' and I think that's a great thing," Lynch noted during a radio interview. "So I'm watching him. I've consistently said it: I won't put anything past him, and I think it's a thing that will remain to be seen. But I know he's putting his heart and soul and his incredible work ethic to work every single day in an effort to do that."