According to sources familiar with the situation, San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner has a chance to make it back for the postseason if the team makes it to the NFC Championship Game, or more likely, the Super Bowl.

On Saturday, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, both of the NFL Network, reported, "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. And even then, it would likely be in spot duty. Any early return might put him at risk of further injury."


Warner has been out since he fractured and dislocated his right ankle on October 12 (week 6) in a 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has been working hard to return for the postseason, and GM John Lynch said Friday, on KNBR radio, not to count out the All-Pro linebacker.

"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 said. "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."

But the 49ers and Warner will have to consider the cost of a return. The injury typically has a recovery time of four to six months. Four months from mid-October is mid-February, which suggests even the Super Bowl would be a stretch. As Rapoport and Garafolo mention, "By that count, the earliest Warner could be back would be Super Bowl LX on Feb 8, and that's as aggressive as it gets. One of the quickest recoveries in recent memory from this injury was Terrell Suggs at five months, and even that was nerve-racking."

However, Warner seems more focused than ever on returning. The decision will come down to whether returning early is worth the risk of potentially making things worse, especially if he would only play "in spot duty." As it stands, Warner is on schedule to return in time for the offseason program and certainly the 2026 training camp. But if he returns early and makes the injury worse, that could impact his availability for the 2026 season. Is a potential Super Bowl win worth risking Warner's future in the sport?

Warner likely believes it's worth the risk. But will the 49ers agree?

Written By:

Marc Adams


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