Fred Warner’s 49ers teammates agree his forced fumble changed game vs. Saints

NEW ORLEANS — Sometimes NFL games come down to one moment, and Fred Warner made the play in the 49ers’ 26-21 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Caesars Superdome.Late in the third quarter, Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler found Alvin Kamara for 1-yard gain, but before he was downed by contact, Warner punched the ball out to force a fumble and subsequently recovered the ball. All-Pro Fred forces the fumble pic.twitter.com/thbLBykMW2 — 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 14, 2025 Kamara originally was ruled down, but Warner knew the ball was out for a fumble before coach Kyle Shanahan challenged the play.“Time just kind of slowed down and I was able to punch it out,” Warner said. “And I knew for a fact that he was still up. I did not tell Kyle. He makes decisions, but I knew for a fact they didn’t show it on the big screen for a reason.”Warner is known for his ability to jar the ball loose, and often times in his attempts, players’ arms fall victim to the blows the linebacker inflicts. Ricky Pearsall has experienced Warner’s tactics during practice, so it wasn’t a surprise that the...