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, 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.