Fred Warner ensures the 49ers victory, but adds to the extensive injury list

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Looking for a spark to end a disappointing two-game losing streak, the San Francisco 49ers got exactly what they needed Sunday afternoon from the person they expected most.

With the Niners clinging to an early six-point lead, linebacker Fred Warner made a highlight-reel interception, rose and ran 45 yards for a touchdown. The Pick-6 nearly defeated the New England Patriots as the Niners cruised to a 30-13 victory that erased the bitter aftertaste of consecutive losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.

“He jumped about 10 feet in the air,” cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said. “That was crazy. …Fred Warner for DPOY.”

Warner's game was the start the Niners needed to get back to 2-2 on the season with key NFC West division games against the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks over the next two weeks, but it didn't come without it cost. There's not much for a broken 49ers team to do these days.

In this case, it was the ever-persistent Warner who couldn't get through the game unscathed. Warner went to the locker room on New England's final drive of the first half with an apparent ankle injury. Early in the third quarter, Warner had his helmet on and was seen running down the sideline to get back into the game. However, he missed the second half and will have to undergo further tests on his ankle.

“It was all based on feeling,” Warner said. “Like I said, it would take a lot for me to figure it out. So if I could have been out there, I would have been. We'll get more information as we continue with the scans and all that, but “I'm fine at the moment.”

In the Niners' vast universe of stars, it's hard to argue that anyone other than Warner was their best player through the first four weeks of the season. His three forced fumbles lead the NFL and his two interceptions are the second most in the league. Warner's interception on Sunday was the 10th of his career, making him the second Niner (along with Keena Turner) to have 10 picks and 10 sacks in his career. It was also the second pick-6 of his career, although it may be at the top of his list of stunning plays.

With 14:15 left in the second quarter, Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett dropped back and threw third-and-5. Brissett scanned left and fired a pass intended for receiver Tyquan Thornton. The throw seemed too high and too heavy for Warner, but he climbed the ladder and snatched it out of the air. He then got up and ran down the right sideline before diving into the end zone.

“He's pretty good, isn't he?” tight end George Kittle said. “My goodness. At first I was actually frustrated because he had as many points as the Niners offense early in the game. … That was an incredible play.”

Part of Warner's rise to the ranks of the league's best players has been his perseverance. Since entering the league in 2018, he has only missed one game due to injury – a 2021 regular season game at Seattle. According to ESPN Research, he only appeared on the injury report in five weeks of his entire career.

With Warner on the field Sunday, the Niners allowed zero points and held the Patriots to 82 yards rushing or 3 yards per play. Warner played 27 snaps and had seven tackles and the pick-6 before exiting. While the defense held up well after Warner's departure, those numbers dropped to 13 points, 134 yards and 3.8 yards per play on 35 snaps. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles replaced Warner and made four tackles, with rookie Tatum Bethune getting three snaps to finish the game.

All of this means the Niners are aware of how important Warner is to their success.

“He always played at the highest level,” end Nick Bosa said. “Sometimes things come your way in a game and he took advantage of all those opportunities. Obviously his stats are crazy right now and I don’t see it slowing down.”

After Sunday's game, the Niners are confident that Warner is doing well and will be back on the field sooner than later. With three first-team All Pro nods and three Pro Bowl nods, it seems difficult for Warner to get any better in his age-27 season. However, teammates and coaches insist that will be the case so far in 2024, with coach Kyle Shanahan noting that it's “kind of hard to say when he's been this good every year,” but adding that ” “The way he started this year, it’s been a big year for him so far.”

If it's going to be a big year for the reigning NFC champion 49ers, they'll need to build on the Patriots' good play on Sunday. Injuries have plagued the Niners through the first month of the season, with top players such as running backs Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, receiver Deebo Samuel, Kittle, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw missing games due to injuries this season or last.

Those complaints contributed to a slower-than-expected start, culminating in last week's loss to the Rams that left a sour taste in San Francisco. Still, Bosa insisted there was no panic for a team that can count on players like Warner to deliver when needed.

“It feels good to get a win,” Bosa said. “It’s been such a long year. If you look at it from an outsider's perspective or look online, you might think that the building is burning down. But I told the D-line guys at our meeting last night that we lost some guys, but I haven't lost one bit of confidence in this group and that's the truth.