San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said he feels at peace after he sustained a season-ending ankle injury in a 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Warner, who was diagnosed with a dislocated and broken right ankle and will require surgery, explained why he was “able to smile” while being carted off with an air cast on his right leg in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
“There’s certain games you wake up knowing it’s gonna be your day, and yesterday was one of those days,” Warner, 28, wrote. “I knew I was bout to go off, and then boom everything over in one instant that was completely unpreventable. The love everyone has shown me and the prayers being had for me mean the world to me.
“Some ask why I was able to smile on the cart heading in and it’s because (aside from the shock) I have complete peace in knowing Gods plan is so completely perfect and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’ve had the privilege of being able to have a very healthy 8 seasons and now it’s time to inspire through the comeback I’m bout to have. It will be LEGENDARY and right on time God willing. Thank you guys, love always GO NINERS🙏🏾❤️.”
Warner, a 49ers captain, included a screengrab of a message that Kobe Bryant shared with then-Celtics forward Gordon Hayward after Hayward suffered a torn Achilles in 2017.
His wife, Sydney Warner, reshared his posts to her Instagram Story.
“It’s Gods plan always. Keep the faith,” she wrote.
The “Bachelor” alum is pregnant with the couple’s second child after welcoming their son, Beau Anthony, in March 2024.
Warner leads the 49ers in tackles (51).
He was injured on first-and-10 at Tampa Bay’s 36, when he was hit in the back of the ankle by Bucs running back Rachaad White.
Since 2018, Warner has only missed one game out of a possible 122 due to injury, per ESPN. He has spent his entire career with the 49ers after they selected him in the third round of 2018 NFL Draft.
It comes after San Francisco lost star defensive end Nick Bosa to a torn ACL in his right knee in Week 3, ending his season.
The 49ers have been decimated by injuries across the board, having played most of the season thus far without veteran tight end George Kittle (hamstring), quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) and wideout Brandon Aiyuk (knee).
Receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) is working his way back after being injured in Week 4.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings said he’s playing through multiple injuries, including high and low ankle sprains and broken ribs.
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The 49ers (4-2) play the Falcons (2-2) at home on Sunday.
