Will Fred Warner return this season? John Lynch provides shocking injury update on 49ers linebacker

The San Francisco 49ers have been without standout linebacker Fred Warner for most of the 2025 season.

Warner suffered a dislocated and broken ankle during San Francisco's Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before suffering the injury, the 29-year-old hadn't missed a game in three years.

Though Warner was expected to miss the rest of the season, general manager John Lynch provided a shocking injury update on the four-time All-Pro that could change everything.

Will Fred Warner return this season?

During an appearance on KNBR on Friday, Lynch stated that Warner is doing well in rehab and the team is exploring a potential playoff return for the veteran defender.

Lynch also added that tight end George Kittle will be a game-time decision versus the Chicago Bears in Week 17 as he deals with an ankle sprain.

"49ers John Lynch on KNBR: George Kittle likely a game-time decision Sunday night on if he can rush back from MNF ankle injury to face Bears Fred Warner excelling at his ankle rehab where 49ers re-examining a potential playoff comeback," Cam Inman of The Mercury News said on X.

Getting Warner back would be a major boost for the 49ers' defense, which has surprisingly held their own despite his absence. The BYU product is one of the best linebackers in football and is an elite game-changer on the field.

We'll see if Warner's return in the postseason comes to fruition. For now, San Francisco's focus is on the final two games of the regular season and a path to the No.1 seed.