The San Francisco 49ers lost more than just a game on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—they may have lost the heart of their defense. Already without pass rusher Nick Bosa, the team suffered another crushing blow when star linebacker Fred Warner went down with a devastating injury.

Early in the game, Warner went down to the turf, with players from both teams immediately signaling for medical help. The 49ers' medical staff rushed to his aid, applied an air cast, and carted him off the field. He was later taken to the locker room for further evaluation.


After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the worst: Warner suffered a dislocated and fractured ankle that will require season-ending surgery.

"It's big anytime you lose one of your best players, also a huge leader," Shanahan said. "Obviously, a huge blow. I feel bad for Fred right now. He was in good spirits, though. He's got a good foundation."

With Warner sidelined, Shanahan noted that the defense will turn to rookie linebacker Tatum Bethune to step up in his absence and have a lot of faith in the backup linebacker.

Quarterback Mac Jones expressed how much Warner's loss impacts the team.

"Prayers to Fred and his family and everything," Jones said. "I'm not sure exactly what happened, but obviously it looked pretty bad. And Fred's just our team captain, and he's been the leader of this team for a long time. So really, all you can do is just pray for him and know that we have his back. I was disappointed that I didn't play better for him today. ... Really, just praying for him, and I know he's going to do a great job getting back."


Running back Christian McCaffrey also shared heartfelt thoughts on losing Warner.

"It's just heartbreaking," McCaffrey said. "It's such a weird game when you have to see somebody like that—and what happened with Bosa earlier in the year—and then just have to continue to play. It's kind of a weird deal, but it's heartbreaking.

"He's one of the best players I've ever played with and one of the best leaders I've ever played with. And so, you know, it's heartbreaking."

The 49ers have endured a long list of injuries this season, with Shanahan acknowledging the challenge of staying competitive down the stretch while dealing with so much adversity.

"Of course, everyone knows it's difficult," Shanahan said. "When you lose your better players and stuff, and your leaders, that's tough. It's huge with Nick. Obviously, huge with Fred. Hopefully, we'll get [TE George] Kittle back here, and some of the other guys, but that's going to give opportunities to other guys.


"And these are moments guys got to step it up, and glad that we played some decent football to put us in this position, at least with our [4-2] record, and we've got to find a way to get better everywhere else throughout this year."

Jauan Jennings playing with broken ribs


Speaking with reporters after the game, wide receiver Jauan Jennings admitted Warner's injury was so impactful that it left him feeling physically ill.

"Fred came and talked to us after the game, lifted us up," Jennings said. "Next-man mentality, just trying to have his back. I was, personally, nauseous. I had to take some nausea medicine. It just made me sick to my stomach."

Jennings added, "Just losing Fred, he's one of the guys that I basically look up to. He's been one of the guys who's led this team year in and year out, and just his words of encouragement before every game. Man, to just know how much that guy loves the game, it's just very sad, and it makes me sick to my stomach."

Jennings also revealed he is battling through severe discomfort. He finished with one catch for seven yards and disclosed that he is playing with more injuries than previously known.


"Playing with injuries, it's part of it," Jennings explained. "You got high, low-ankle sprains, you got a shoulder [at] 20%. You got ribs—five broken ribs. It is what it is. You keep playing, and nobody cares. You keep playing. So, we do."

When asked directly if he currently has five broken ribs, Jennings confirmed, "Yeah, I've got five broken ribs." He also confirmed he's indeed dealing with both high and low-ankle sprains.


Shanahan acknowledged that Jennings has been battling multiple injury setbacks this season.

"Bad ankle, some issues with his ribs, hasn't had some full-speed practices," Shanahan said. "I was pumped that he was able to go today, but now he's struggling to go every week right now."

The coach also addressed the heated exchange he had with Jennings on the sideline just before halftime, saying, "Just intense, competitive conversation between two people at the end of the second quarter, but we were good."

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