San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner was on the verge of returning for the playoffs. Had the team defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round, Warner is confident he would have been ready for the NFC Championship Game.
Unfortunately, the 49ers' postseason run ended sooner than hoped, eliminating any chance for a comeback after Warner suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in October 2025.
Warner spoke with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show on Tuesday, sharing an update on his recovery and how close he is to being fully healthy.
"One hundred and twenty percent," Warner confidently said. "Past 100 percent, yeah. I feel great. Best I've ever been."
The All-Pro linebacker reflected on the rapid recovery that had him ready just over three months after the injury. He was asked how realistic it was that he would have suited up for the NFC Championship Game, had his 49ers reached that point.
"It was so true," Warner said. "I actually think I surprised myself throughout the healing process, with how quickly I did heal from this injury, because it's one of those ones—it looks horrific when it happens. It was honestly a fear of mine. I had seen that happen to other people, and I'm like, 'Oh my God, that looks horrible.'
"But, surprisingly, once they put it all back together, after surgery, and then you start getting into rehab, you start feeling way better, getting that range of motion back, the strength back, and you really pop back pretty quick. And so, it was very true that I could have played."
49ers fans can now breathe a sigh of relief: Warner is fully recovered and poised to continue making game-changing plays for San Francisco during the 2026 NFL season.