-
Nick Wagoner, ESPN writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — While star teammates such as quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, receivers Deebo Samuel Sr. and Brandon Aiyuk and defensive end Nick Bosa have missed games due to injuries this season, linebacker San Francisco 49ers Fred Warner has missed games due to injuries. been an unconditional.
But it turns out that’s not because Warner hasn’t been dealing with its share of pain. Warner revealed for the first time Wednesday that he has been playing through a broken ankle bone he suffered in a Sept. 29 win against the New England Patriots.
That means when the Niners face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night, Warner will play his eighth straight game with the ankle injury.
“It’s something I deal with every game,” Warner said. “I get on that table before every game and I throw it every game just so I can roll. But it’s not an excuse. It’s just what it is. That’s the NFL. You’re not going to be healthy. “You’ve got to get out there, you’ve got to get out there. We have to find ways to execute, play at a high level and win every week.
Warner initially injured his ankle against the Patriots near the end of a first half in which he had already recorded seven tackles and an interception for a touchdown in just 27 plays. He didn’t play in the second half and expressed optimism after that game that he would be fine.
In the following week, prior to the Week 5 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, Warner was limited in practice but played in the game, finishing with 12 tackles, including one for loss. Warner has participated fully in practice before every game since then, although the injury has hampered him at times.
Still, Warner has 84 tackles, 1 sack, 4 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions on the season.
When asked if the ankle could heal before the end of the season, Warner acknowledged that was unlikely and that he will have to continue playing through pain to reach the goal.
“Any time you break a bone, if you continue to play with it, the bone usually won’t be able to heal itself,” Warner said. “So we have to keep fighting.”
Warner and his teammates are hoping for some emotional boost Wednesday with linebacker Dre Greenlaw returning to the field. Greenlaw has missed the first 11 games as he continues to recover from the torn left Achilles tendon he suffered in the Super Bowl.
The 49ers officially opened Greenlaw’s practice window on Wednesday, giving the team and Greenlaw 21 days to demonstrate that he is ready to be activated from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster.
“It’s going to be great to have him on the field,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “When Dre is around, whether it’s on the field or in the meeting rooms, he’s 100% active. Everyone loves him here.”
Meanwhile, the status of Purdy (right shoulder), Williams (left ankle) and Bosa (left hip/oblique) remains murky as the Niners begin preparation for Buffalo.
Purdy participated on a limited basis in Wednesday’s practice, a sign of improvement from where he was on Friday when the Niners ruled him out against the Green Bay Packers.
Purdy threw an actual pass, a short screen during the third of four periods open to the media on Wednesday. Otherwise, he watched the other quarterbacks (Brandon Allen, Joshua Dobbs and Tanner Mordecai) throw to receivers. Purdy also participated in setting up the running game, passing the ball to the backs and attempting what appeared to be a shovel pass.
Williams was seen in the locker room Wednesday with his left foot and ankle on a scooter and is not expected to participate in practice. The same goes for Bosa, although he spoke to the media and offered a positive update that he could potentially return against the Bills.
Bosa said he’s unlikely to do much in team drills during practice this week, but he could do some things Thursday and Friday.
“[I] I’ve definitely made a lot of progress,” Bosa said. “I feel a lot better. “I still need to improve before I’m ready to go, so this week will be important and I’ll know a lot more in the coming days.”
Running back Christian McCaffrey (rest day), guard Aaron Banks (concussion), defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (concussion), linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) also missed the game. Wednesday practice. Guard Dominick Puni (shoulder), Greenlaw (Achilles) and defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin) joined Purdy as limited participants.
