Fred Warner's Ankle Injury, Swimming Rehab, and Return to the 49ers

In Week 6 of the NFL season, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner suffered a broken ankle when teammate Ji’Ayir Brown inadvertently crashed into his lower leg. Warner was carted off the field and initially labeled out for the season. To accelerate recovery, he began swimming under the guidance of San Jose State University women’s swim and dive coach Sage Hopkins, using water immersion to reduce swelling and improve ankle mobility.

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Warner entered the season as a four-time Pro Bowler and multiple First-Team All-Pro, having recorded 100 + tackles in each of his seven prior seasons. Through six games he logged 51 tackles and two forced fumbles, anchoring a defense that struggled after his departure despite strong individual performances from other players.

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• Fred Warner – 49ers linebacker, primary subject of the rehab effort.

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• Ji’Ayir Brown – 49ers teammate whose accidental collision caused the injury.

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• Sage Hopkins – Women’s swim and dive coach at San Jose State University, who guided Warner’s swimming sessions.

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• Dre Greenlaw – Fellow 49ers linebacker who will line up alongside Warner in the upcoming season opener.

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Warner’s swimming regimen focused on gentle kicking motions that “flushed” the ankle, according to his own description. Hopkins observed an “exponential” improvement curve, noting that Warner’s swimming ability surpassed many Division I water-polo athletes. Warner rejoined team practices ahead of the NFC Divisional game against the Seattle Seahawks, positioning him to contribute if the 49ers advanced.

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Team medical staff have cleared Warner for full football activities. He is slated to start at linebacker in the 49ers’ Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, marking his return in the 2026 season opener. The pairing with Greenlaw marks the defensive unit’s first appearance together since Warner’s injury.

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The available sources do not present any criticism or opposing viewpoints regarding Warner’s rehabilitation approach or the team’s handling of his injury.

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All source material consistently describes the injury, rehab method, and clearance; no discrepancies or missing information were identified.

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• “I was constantly dealing with swelling,” — Fred Warner, linebacker, 49ers

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• “So when I would put it in the water and just kick, it was a natural flushing of the ankle. Every time I got out of the water, my ankle looked so much better than it did going in.” — Fred Warner, linebacker, 49ers

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• “Our curve was just exponential,” — Sage Hopkins, women’s swim and dive coach, San Jose State University

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• “I wish I would have videoed our starting point. As I told him (recently), he swims better than a lot of Division I water polo players.” — Sage Hopkins, women’s swim and dive coach, San Jose State University

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Warner’s participation in the Melbourne opener will be the first test of his post-injury performance, and his presence will shape the 49ers’ defensive strategy as the team pursues a third Super Bowl appearance in eight years.

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