TAMPA, Fla., — The play Fred Warner suffered a season ending ankle injury on might be even worse knowing that it might have been avoided if the 49ers’ defense had not made a crucial mistake.

With 7:48 remaining in the first quarter of the 49ers’ 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, San Francisco’s defense lined up with only 10 players on the field — including only three defensive linemen. The mistake forced Warner to face Bucs All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs on an island.

Mykel Williams’ third-down sack forced Bucs’ punt on series they lost Fred Warner (ankle)

On that Warner play, Rachaad White had a 10-yard run when tackled by Ji’Ayir Brown, who rolled up into Warner. Niners had only 10 defenders on field, Williams was missing at RDE

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 12, 2025

#49ers only had 10 men on the field on the play when Fred Warner was injured.

Would that have prevented the injury? Maybe. Would it have changed the way the play unfolded? Definitely. pic.twitter.com/w8qmcxrDsb

— Jennifer Lee Chan -all platforms: @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) October 13, 2025

Bryce Huff was lined up on the left side of the field with Kalia Davis and C.J. West to his right and no one at right defensive end.

At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Wirfs outweighs Warner by 90 pounds and without another edge rusher on the right side, the left tackle moved off the line of scrimmage untouched.

Deommodore Lenoir was lined up behind and outside of Huff with linebacker Luke Gifford to his right side. Warner was in the middle of the field with Dee Winters to his right. Ji’Ayir Brown and Marques Sigle were the safeties on the play lined up deeper.

As Wirfs pushed Warner in the direction of the 49ers’ sideline, running back Rachaad White made his way past Warner which drew both Brown and Sigle over to make the tackle, with both eventually landing awkwardly on top of Warner’s ankle.

“I made the tackle and I heard Fred,” Brown said. “I knew right then and there what happened, well, not exactly what happened, but that he was hurt. It was tough, man.”

At the end of the play Wirfs immediately signaled to the sidelines that Warner needed medical attention. Buccaneers receiver Tez Johnson also signaled but then turned away quickly, covering his face with his hands after seeing the gruesome injury.

“I feel for him,” Brown said. “That’s like my big brother, man. Where we step out on that field, me and Fred, we’ve got a certain kind of bond. And I love that so whenever he ain’t out there, not seeing him out there through the week at practice, I got to pick it up. I know the energy and the leadership he brings.”

The 49ers have the tough task of facing 11 more games during the 2025 NFL season without Warner on the field. Hopefully, they line up with a full compliment of defensive linemen going forward.

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