49ers Overreactions: Will Rehabbing Fred Warner Return During 2025 Nfl Playoffs?

49ers overreactions: Will rehabbing Fred Warner return during 2025 NFL playoffs? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers’ 2025 NFL season is going about as well as anyone could have expected.

They carry a four-game winning streak into their game Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts.

The 49ers (10-4) can clinch a spot in the NFC playoffs with a victory against the Colts while also moving up to the No. 5 seed at the conclusion of next week’s games.

Things are looking up, but there is also room for improvement as the 49ers look to gain momentum heading into the postseason.

In this installment of 49ers Overreactions, we take a look at some of the concerns of the fan base and the areas in which Kyle Shanahan’s team can improve entering the playoffs.

The way Fred Warner is putting in the work, he is returning for the playoffs (@AlimKamat)

Overreaction? Yes, but . . . 

General manager John Lynch recently told NBC Sports Bay Area that All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner regularly keeps him posted on his plan to return to the field for the postseason.

Warner appears to be getting around very well after sustaining a fractured and dislocated right ankle in the 49ers’ Oct. 12 game at Tampa Bay.

He recently provided an update on social media, saying, “I’m ecstatic about where it’s at.”

Warner is lifting weights and rebuilding his strength while increasing his range of motion. He said he is doing sled walks and sled pushes as part of his physical therapy.

Lynch suggested it might not be realistic for Warner to rush back for the postseason. The first round of playoff games will open on Jan. 10.

“I think it’s outside the realm, and I promise you, it’s our duty, with a player like Fred, not to ever put himself in harm’s way in terms of not being ready,” Lynch said.

However, Super Bowl 60 will be held at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8 — nearly four months after he sustained the injury.

If the 49ers can advance deep into the postseason without him, Warner is certain to do anything and everything in his power to get back for the biggest game of them all.

BP is still chucking it into double/triple coverage. This needs to be fixed. (@TheeThrill22)

Overreaction? Yes. 

It is difficult to come up with anything Brock Purdy did wrong on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

He completed 23 of 30 passes for 295 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 140.3. He also rushed for 44 yards on seven attempts.

The tightest-window throw he made was one of the better passes of the day when Jauan Jennings could not secure a third-down pass in traffic in the second quarter.

Yes, Purdy must avoid giveaways. Since throwing three interceptions in the first half against Carolina on Nov. 24, he has attempted 76 passes without being picked off.

The 49ers’ offense is designed to take shots down the field when the coverage allows for an opportunity for a big play.

But, also, a man must know his limitations. Purdy appears to be in a good rhythm. His decision-making has improved after showing too much hesitation in that game against the Panthers in Week 12.

Favorable schedule making us look better than we probably are (@Fernp79)

Overreaction? No.

That’s probably an accurate statement. Their win streak has come against teams that didn’t have the firepower to capitalize on any of the 49ers’ mistakes.

Among the 12 teams with nine or more victories, the 49ers’ strength-of-victory percentage is ninth. The teams they have beaten have a combined win percentage of .364.

The teams with victories coming against even-weaker competition are Chicago (.342), New England (.346) and Denver (.351).

The 49ers have put themselves in prime position for the postseason with three games remaining, and they will have to play a lot better if they are going to make any kind of postseason run.

The 49ers are not true contenders unless they can figure out their run game/defense (@doconnell2000)

Overreaction? No.

It is amazing the 49ers have been able to win 10 games with their running back being at its lowest level since Shanahan was hired in 2017.

The 49ers averaged just 3.5 yards per rushing attempt in the first 14 games this season, and leading rusher Christian McCaffrey’s average is 3.6 yards.

The previous lowest averages came in 2017, when the 49ers averaged 4.1 yards and leading rusher Carlos Hyde had a 3.9 average.

So, yes, there is plenty of room for improvement there.

Also, the defense has to cut down dramatically on its blown assignments in coverage and missed tackles.

The secondary will decide how far we go in the playoffs (@higherthinker78)

Overreaction? Yes. 

It all starts with the defensive line.

The 49ers must do a better job against the run on first and second downs. Then, the pass rush has to be a lot better than it has been up to this point in the season.

The 49ers rank last in the NFL with just 16 sacks on the season. The front four has to be the catalyst for the improvements the 49ers’ defense must make for the remainder of the season.

In the defensive backfield, the 49ers have the players. But you’re not wrong. There is plenty to tighten up there, too.

We need a new top WR next season to complete the squad. BA is gone. (@naptoon)

Overreaction? No.

Wide receivers Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing are under contract for next season.

The 49ers officially will part ways with Brandon Aiyuk at some point in the offseason. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.

Wide receivers rank among the 49ers’ top offseason needs, and there are generally plenty of answers available in the draft.

The 49ers are likely to have seven picks within the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, and they might be wise to target a couple of wideouts.

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