The San Francisco 49ers’ nightmare with injuries continues, and this one may be the most devastating of all.

Midway through the first quarter of their Week 6 clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, linebacker

Fred Warner — the heart and soul of the 49ers’ defense — went down with a gruesome right leg injury following a run by Rachaad White.

As Warner lay on the turf, trainers rushed to his side. Moments later, the entire sideline gathered in concern. He was carted off the field with his right leg in an

air cast, his face showing the agony that sent a chill through Levi’s Stadium and 49ers fans worldwide. The team later confirmed that Warner has been ruled out for the remainder of the game, and early reports suggest a severe fracture .

This marks a stunning blow for one of the league’s most durable stars. Warner had appeared in 132 of 133 possible games

 since being drafted in 2018 — even playing through a fractured bone in his ankle last season. The four-time First-Team All-Pro has been the standard of reliability, consistency, and leadership in San Francisco’s defensive unit.

“Fred is our heartbeat,” one 49ers player was overheard saying as trainers helped him onto the cart. “He’s the one who keeps us together.”

Fred Warner #49ers Looks like a right ankle dislocation. Unfortunate for the Niners star. Hope for a fast recoveryhttps://t.co/IEE8pMXwAh

— Adam Schetefr (@CCherry54488) October 13, 2025

Warner had been playing the best football of his career, leading an injury-plagued 49ers defense that already lost

Nick Bosa to a torn ACL earlier in the season. The team had managed to start 4–1 despite setbacks to Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and rookie Ricky Pearsall, but losing Warner — the emotional anchor and field general — could change everything.

This season, Warner was not just dominant; he was on a Defensive Player of the Year trajectory. His instincts, sideline-to-sideline range, and ability to command the huddle made him irreplaceable in Kyle Shanahan’s system.

Now, San Francisco faces the possibility of being without two of its defensive cornerstones for the remainder of 2025.

Beyond the human cost, Warner’s injury could reshape the 49ers’ approach at the upcoming

trade deadline. With so many defensive stars sidelined, San Francisco may be forced to pivot from aggressors to survivors, prioritizing depth and health over big midseason moves.