{"id":250711,"date":"2025-10-14T11:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T15:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=250711"},"modified":"2026-03-19T20:22:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T00:22:10","slug":"49ers-injury-crisis-can-sf-survive-without-warner-and-bosa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/10\/14\/49ers-injury-crisis-can-sf-survive-without-warner-and-bosa\/","title":{"rendered":"49ers Injury Crisis: Can SF Survive Without Warner and Bosa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"813\" data-end=\"1287\">The San Francisco 49ers are in the midst of a major injury crisis, entering Sunday\u2019s game against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/buccaneers\/\" target=\"_self\">Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> with a depleted roster missing starters Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall and Nick Bosa. The situation worsened in the first quarter when All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, the team\u2019s defensive captain, suffered a broken and dislocated ankle \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/46574756\/banged-49ers-lose-top-lb-fred-warner-ankle-injury\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">a season-ending injury<\/a> that sidelines one of the NFL\u2019s top defenders for the year.<\/p>\n<h2>49ers Injury Crisis: Can SF Survive Without Warner and Bosa<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 49ers confirmed after the game that Warner\u2019s injury will require surgery, marking the latest devastating blow to a roster decimated by injuries for a second straight season. It\u2019s especially impactful, as the eighth-year veteran had missed only one game in his career before now facing a long, grueling recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warner\u2019s injury, which occurred while he attempted to tackle Buccaneers running back Rachaad White, could not have come at a worse time. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 49ers will now be without both <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/09\/24\/more-than-bad-luck-for-san-francisco-49ers\/\" target=\"_self\">Bosa<\/a> and Warner \u2014 their two defensive cornerstones \u2014 for the remainder of the season, a loss that will likely test their ability to stay competitive in the NFC West.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: 49ers star Fred Warner was carted off the field with a leg cast after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury.<\/p>\n<p>Trainers immediately rushed out to attend to him, a brutal scene for San Francisco\u2019s defensive leader.<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/49ners?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#49ners<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FredWarner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#FredWarner<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFL<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uB7OV1ldH6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/uB7OV1ldH6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Injuries (@ipostinjuries) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ipostinjuries\/status\/1977480110824656935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Replacing Warner<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It will be up to a mix of young players, backups and emerging starters to fill the void. One name to watch is second-year linebacker Tatum Bethune, who faces the daunting task of replacing Warner in the middle of the defense. Warner\u2019s absence also opens the door for rookies Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins and Marques Sigle to take on bigger roles. Williams notched his first career sack Sunday, while Collins and Sigle have each made key plays in the team\u2019s first six games. Expect defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to rely on a collective effort as the defense adjusts without its two stars.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_199348\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-199348\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-199348 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"49ers defense\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24545281_168400545_lowres.jpg 1948w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-199348\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">October 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) during the third quarter at Levi&#8217;s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>49ers Need Offensive Stars Back Fast<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On offense, they need Purdy, Kittle, Pearsall and Aiyuk back on the field as soon as possible. With the defense shorthanded and still adjusting to multiple offseason departures, the 49ers offense may have to shoulder more of the load to keep the team in playoff contention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1248\" data-end=\"1299\"><strong>Trade Deadline Looms Amidst 49ers Injury Crisis: Can the Team Make a Big Move<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. ET, and rumors are already swirling about a potential blockbuster move. One name reportedly linked to the 49ers is <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bengals\/\" target=\"_self\">Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> edge rusher <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/10\/10\/report-a-lot-of-conversations-circulating-about-49ers-blockbuster-trade\/\" target=\"_self\">Trey Hendrickson.<\/a> He is on a one-year deal and could be available if the Bengals continue to struggle without injured quarterback Joe Burrow. Another possible target is <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/dolphins\/\" target=\"_self\">Miami Dolphins<\/a> linebacker Bradley Chubb, should the Dolphins choose to retool.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_250363\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-250363\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-250363 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"49ers Trade Deadline\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/10\/49ers-Trade-Deadline-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-250363\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch (left) talks with cornerback Eli Apple (right) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi&#8217;s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next three weeks could determine the direction of San Francisco\u2019s season. The 49ers host the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/falcons\/\" target=\"_self\">Atlanta Falcons<\/a> before visiting the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/texans\/\" target=\"_self\">Houston Texans<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/giants\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Giants<\/a> \u2014 a manageable stretch on paper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the team can get some of its offensive stars healthy and win at least two of those games to stay atop the division, general manager John Lynch may look to swing a major deal. But if the defense falters without Warner\u2019s leadership, the 49ers may instead look toward 2026, when both Bosa and Warner are expected to return fully healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><br style=\"font-weight: 400;\" \/>Main Photo: [Jonathan Dyer] &#8211; Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 49ers face an injury crisis after losing Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. Can the team stay competitive in the NFC West?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5641,"featured_media":250820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31,34308,36],"tags":[4190,33272,32048,4445,3191,52],"class_list":["post-250711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-49ers","category-injuries","category-nfl-news","tag-fred-warner","tag-mykel-williams","tag-nfl-injuries","tag-nick-bosa","tag-robert-saleh","tag-san-francisco-49ers"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250711","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5641"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=250711"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250711\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":250816,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250711\/revisions\/250816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/250820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}