The 49ers trailed the Buccaneers, 7-3, at the time of Warner’s injury. San Francisco’s defense proceeded to give up a season-high 30 points in the defeat.
Warner has been a reliable force since coming into the league as third-round pick in 2018, leading the team in tackles in each of his prior seven seasons and doing it all while missing just one out of 117 regular-season games.
It’s why the 28-year-old has been regarded as one of — if not the best — off-ball LBs in the NFL the past few seasons. But apart from his sure-handed tackling, his knack for forcing fumbles and his clutch play on third downs, Warner has been an important figure for a 49ers team that has consistently been in contention, including the club’s Super Bowl runs in 2019 and 2023.
The loss of Warner maintains a troubling theme of key injuries for the 49ers six games into the 2025 season. Star pass rusher Nick Bosa was lost for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. The offense has also been hit hard with quarterback Brock Purdy (toe; four games missed), tight end George Kittle (ankle; five games) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring; two games) sidelined for extended action.
Mac Jones has helped steer the ship in relief of Purdy, leading the 49ers to a three wins in four starts, but how the 49ers acclimate to life without the QB of their defense remains to be seen.