49ers’ Fred Warner sounds off on playoff return: ‘I’m ready whenever they’re ready’

Following Sunday's Wild Card playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about the likelihood of opening linebacker Fred Warner's practice window this week.

"Not very high," Shanahan said.

Warner has been working his way back from a dislocated and fractured right ankle suffered in Week 6. The 49ers have consistently indicated that a postseason return was possible if the team made a deep enough playoff run—most realistically by reaching the NFC Championship Game.

However, during an appearance on Ryen Russillo's podcast, Warner was asked whether he has been telling teammates he could return if the 49ers defeat the top-seeded Seattle Seahawks on Saturday. The All-Pro linebacker made it clear that, from a physical standpoint, he feels ready.

"I'm ready whenever they're ready," Warner said. "There's some T's that gotta be crossed, I's that gotta be dotted. Unfortunately, if it were just up to me, I'd be out there this weekend, but it's unfortunately not that way. I've got to make sure I'm checking all the boxes, and everybody has to give me the okay before they let me go out there.

"But I'm pushing, man. I'm training hard. I'm back doing full football drills and everything, so time will tell. We gotta pull the win off first."

During Thursday's practice, reporters caught a glimpse of Warner doing light sprinting on the side, a sign that his potential return could be approaching. For Warner to play, the 49ers would need to open his practice window, allowing him a full week of on-field work before a game.

That timeline is complicated by San Francisco's short week of preparation ahead of the Seahawks matchup. A quick turnaround is far from ideal for a linebacker returning from a significant ankle injury.