49ers' Fred Warner Drops Kobe Bryant Post After Being Ruled Out for Season with Injury

The San Francisco 49ers have already been depleted by injuries this season, and another key member of the defense has been lost for the season.

After being carted off in the first quarter of Sunday's 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with an air cast on his right leg, linebacker Fred Warner was diagnosed with a dislocated and broken right ankle, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters.

He will need surgery and miss the remainder of the season. On Monday, Warner released a statement to fans on Instagram and included an inspirational quote from Kobe Bryant:

"There's certain games you wake up knowing it's gonna be your day, and yesterday was one of those days," Warner posted on Instagram on Monday. "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, who agreed to a three-year, $63 million extension that made him the league's highest-paid linebacker this offseason, is not only one of the 49ers' best defensive players, but one of the best players in the entire NFL.

Through five games, the veteran had racked up 50 tackles, two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. His 28 solo tackles are the fifth-most in the NFL this year. Needless to say, losing Warner for any amount of time would be a huge loss for the 49ers defense.

San Francisco has arguably had the worst injury luck of any team so far this season. The Niners came into Sunday's matchup missing Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall and more, and a depleted roster has been the story all year.

Yet the 49ers have managed to thrive even with all the injuries. They came into Sunday 4-1, sitting in first place in the NFC West after last week's overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams.

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Much of San Francisco's success can be attributed to the unexpected breakout of backup quarterback Mac Jones, who came into Sunday having thrown for 905 yards, six touchdowns and an interception in three starts, all of which were wins.

Even if Jones keeps up his tremendous play, losing Warner will be a significant downgrade.

Warner, who has spent his entire eight-year career with the Niners, has missed just one game since coming into the league, and he played through a broken bone in his ankle in 2024.