Fred Warner is itching to get back on the football field, but his presence is still felt from the sidelines.
The 49ers star linebacker joined “The Ryen Russillo Show” to discuss what led up to Ji’Ayir Brown’s crucial forced fumble Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts.
“It was good to see us take the ball away on special teams,” Warner stated. “My guy Ji’Ayir Brown coming through with the Fred Warner punch-out.”
Warner has executed this exact punch-out on multiple occasions, including earlier this season against the New Orleans Saints. The ankle injury has prevented Warner from playing since Week 6, but it hasn’t stopped him from helping his teammates improve.
“We were laughing about it in the locker room just now,” Warner continued. “He told me, ‘Bro, I specifically remember you telling me elbow above the wrist,’ because you want that right angle so that when you’re going through it’s like you’ve got that little pocket in there for that ball to come out.”
The “Peanut Punch” has been trending around the NFL this season, but no one has mastered the technique like Warner has. He surpassed Patrick Willis this year for most forced fumbles in 49ers history with 17.
John Lynch told KNBR on Friday that Warner is excelling at his ankle rehab, where the 49ers are re-examining a potential playoff comeback. The heart of the defense is eager to return, but he has enjoyed helping his teammates in a different way while recovering from his injury. Brown’s forced fumble had Warner’s fingerprints all over it.
“I guess he remembered a little something that little Freddy told him,” Warner concluded. “He goes in there, and he punches the ball out on kickoff.”
The 49ers control their own destiny for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If they’re able to clinch a first-round bye, the probability of Warner returning for the playoffs could continue to increase.
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