(Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images)Nick CrainThu, January 15, 2026 at 3:00 AM UTC·2 min readAt one point in time, there was reason to believe that Fred Warner wasn’t going to play again this season. But the San Francisco 49ers have put together a strong campaign and an early playoff showcase that looks like a real contender, which has naturally left the door open for a Warner return before this run is over.
Ahead of this weekend’s divisional round game against the Seattle Seahawks, coach Kyle Shanahan has indicated that the team is being cautious, and while there’s hope Warner might be available later in the playoffs, he’s not expected to play this weekend. Still, the fact that the 49ers opened Warner’s 21-day practice window just yesterday, as he continues rehabbing from the dislocated and fractured right ankle he suffered back in early October, is meaningful in itself. It’s a signal that he’s trending the right way and that the organization believes a return is at least on the table.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThen came the mindset piece. Just one day after his practice window opened, Warner spoke to local media Wednesday for the first time since the injury and made it clear he’s staying optimistic, even if the most realistic outcome is still that he won’t be out there Saturday night. Warner said he’s taking it day by day, and he even pointed out how quickly the timeline has shifted in a positive direction.
“We’re taking it day by day,” Warner said. “I think they said last week they weren’t going to open my window, and then my window is now open. So yeah, we’re just taking it day by day.”
Whether or not he actually plays this weekend remains unclear, and again, it still feels unlikely. But there’s a real sense of optimism around the trajectory, both because of the practice window opening and because of how Warner is carrying himself. He’s already been actively participating in limited things, walkthroughs, on-field drills, and the overall vibe is that once the medical staff gives him the green light, he feels like he’s in a good place ready to rock. And it goes without saying, if that clearance comes at any point during this playoff push, Warner would be a massive boost for a Niners defense that’s trying to finish what it started.
This is a Niners team that has faced adversity all season, and even recently lost TE George Kittle, but they’ve proven time and time again that no matter who takes the field, they’re going to be competitive.
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