SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Whereas star teammates reminiscent of quarterback Brock Purdy, tight finish George Kittle, receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Brandon Aiyuk and defensive finish Nick Bosa have missed video games due to harm this season, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner has been a stalwart.
However, because it seems, that is not as a result of Warner hasn’t been coping with his share of ache. Warner revealed for the primary time Wednesday that he is been taking part in by way of a fractured bone in his ankle that he suffered in a Sept. 29 win towards the New England Patriots.
Meaning when the Niners meet the Buffalo Payments on Sunday night time, Warner will likely be taking part in his eighth consecutive sport with the ankle harm.
“It is one thing I cope with each sport,” Warner mentioned. “I get on that desk earlier than each sport and get it shot up each single sport simply to have the ability to roll. However it’s not an excuse. It is simply what it’s. That is the NFL. You are not going to be wholesome. You have to go on the market, you have to discover methods to execute, to play at a excessive stage and to win each single week.”
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Warner initially injured the ankle towards the Patriots close to the tip of a primary half during which he had already posted seven tackles and an interception for a landing on simply 27 snaps. He didn’t play within the second half and expressed optimism after that sport that he’d be OK.
Within the following week earlier than the Week 5 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, Warner was restricted in apply however performed within the sport, ending with 12 tackles, together with one for loss. Warner has been a full participant in apply earlier than each sport since, although the harm has hindered him at instances.
Nonetheless, Warner has 84 tackles, a sack, 4 compelled fumbles and a pair of interceptions on the season.
Requested whether or not the ankle would be capable to heal earlier than the tip of the season, Warner acknowledged that was unlikely and he’ll should proceed taking part in by way of ache in an effort to attain the end line.
“Anytime you fracture a bone, for those who simply proceed to play on it, the bone is often not going to have the ability to heal itself,” Warner mentioned. “So, simply obtained to proceed to only combat by way of.”
Warner and his teammates do count on a little bit of an emotional increase Wednesday with linebacker Dre Greenlaw again on the sector. Greenlaw has missed the primary 11 video games as he continues restoration from the torn left Achilles that he suffered within the Tremendous Bowl.
The 49ers formally opened Greenlaw’s apply window Wednesday, giving the workforce and Greenlaw 21 days to show he is able to be activated from the bodily unable to carry out record to the 53-man roster.
“It’s going to be superior simply having him on the sector,” coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned. “When Dre is round, whether or not it is on the sector, in assembly rooms, he is 100% ball. Everybody loves him round right here.”
In the meantime, the standing for Purdy (proper shoulder), Williams (left ankle) and Bosa (left hip/indirect) stays murky because the Niners start preparation for Buffalo.
Purdy is slated to be a restricted participant in Wednesday’s apply, an indication of enchancment from the place he was Friday when the Niners dominated him out towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers. Shanahan mentioned a dedication on if and the way a lot Purdy would throw will likely be made when the 49ers start apply.
Williams was noticed within the locker room Wednesday along with his left foot and ankle on a scooter and isn’t anticipated to take part in apply. The identical is true for Bosa, although he spoke to the media and provided a optimistic replace that he might probably be again towards the Payments.
Bosa mentioned he is unlikely to do a lot in workforce drills throughout apply this week, however he might do some issues Thursday and Friday.
“[I] made a very good quantity of progress for certain,” Bosa mentioned. “It is feeling rather a lot higher. Nonetheless must get higher earlier than I am able to go, so this week will likely be huge, and I am going to know much more within the subsequent couple of days.”
Elsewhere on the harm report, Shanahan mentioned working again Christian McCaffrey (relaxation day), guard Aaron Banks (concussion), defensive deal with Jordan Elliott (concussion), linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) would additionally miss Wednesday’s apply. Guard Dominick Puni (shoulder), Greenlaw (Achilles) and defensive deal with Kevin Givens (groin) will be a part of Purdy as restricted members.
