49ers' Warner likely out for season with broken, dislocated ankle

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner will need surgery after suffering a dislocated and broken ankle during Sunday's 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced.

The gruesome injury, which forced Warner to leave on a cart in the first quarter, is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Warner is a cornerstone of San Francisco's defense, having claimed three straight first-team All-Pro nods. The 28-year-old entered Sunday with 50 tackles (two for loss), three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles this year.

The 2018 third-round pick has missed just one game due to injury during his NFL career (in 2021).

Injuries have been a major concern for the 49ers. San Francisco, which is now 4-2, faced the Bucs without quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, defensive end Nick Bosa, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, among others.

With Warner sidelined, Tatum Bethune will presumably take on a bigger workload at linebacker while playing alongside Dee Winters in the middle of the Niners' defense.