10 things Fred Warner said about his push to return to the 49ers’ playoff run
Fred Warner is back on the 49ers’ practice field and looked energetic during the media viewing portion Wednesday, though he was listed as a limited participant in the session.
The 49ers opened his 21-day practice window on Tuesday, allowing him to rejoin drills with his teammates and let the 49ers track his progress back from fracturing and dislocating his right ankle in an October loss to the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay.
Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that the 49ers would take it slowly this week with Warner, signaling a return target of the NFC Championship Game, if they get there by beating the Seahawks in the divisional round on Saturday.
Warner was measured when talking about returning to game action, but did not totally rule out trying to play in Seattle.
“We’re taking it day by day,” Warner said of his return. “They said last week they weren’t opening my window, and my window is now open. We’re just taking it day by day. The expectation is to continue to take it day by day and see where we’re at.”
Here are a few other highlights of his session…
On what got him to this point:
It speaks to everybody who’s been in my corner the entire time – the trainers, the strength staff, the plan they put together for me to help push me along. It truly did take an army to help me get to this point. God bless my wife, she was eight to nine months pregnant, trying to take care of me when I was on that (knee) scooter. I’m just super blessed to be right where I’m at.
On when he raised the possibility of a return:
The question was asked at my first meeting with the doctor to see how the bone was healing. I put that question out there to him, a few weeks after my surgery. I said, ‘In a different world, would I be able to come back?’ He said, ‘Yeah, it’s a possibility.’ The first six weeks, when you’re non-weight bearing, they’re kind of the same. After that, you can manipulate the way you rehab, going forward aggressively and safely, of course, to ultimately get back to this point. That’s what we did. Still have a little ways to go before being fully cleared to step out there in a game.
On the team culture:
It speaks to who we are here at the 49ers, the culture and the standard that’s been built from the top down, and the depth we’ve been able to create at every position. Not to mention we’ve lost guys at almost every position throughout the season and guys have stepped up in a huge way to get us in this position. Of course it’s going to take another one this week against a great test in Seattle for the third time this season.
On the medical side of his return:
Everything to this point has been in direct communication with the doctors and trainers involved in my surgery. Nothing’s been done with, ‘Hey man, let’s just go out and do it out of pure will.’ Everything has been scientifically based.
Of course I didn’t think that day in Tampa Bay I was going to get rolled up on and dislocate and fracture my ankle. But that’s what this game is, it’s a violent game. But I’m not going to go out there and put myself at added risk if I’m not ready.
On the initial comeback:
To be honest, once I put that helmet and shoulder pads on, I know what it is. I know how to play this game. I know what I’m capable of.
The mental hurdle was having to rewatch the play in the beginning of it all and soak it in to see what I did to myself, right? Once I was able to own that and attack the rehab process, it was a go from there. So that part’s behind me. Now it’s football is football.
On his practice return this week:
It felt like another day at the office. I’ve been away for a little bit but being back with the practice jersey and helmet and running around with the guys is going to be great. I’ll have time to reminisce after it’s all over. My only goal right now is to have the best day today to have a chance at beating Seattle.
On the hardest part of the rehab:
When I was on that scooter and couldn’t fend for myself, I had to rely on my wife a lot. I’ve never sustained a serious injury like this, so having to rely on my wife and other people around me to help, it was tough in the beginning. Once I settled in and attacked the rehab process, it was better.
On watching Sunday’s win over the Eagles from home:
The feelings were intense. I remember pregame watching that, because I’m at home, and my wife was watching me pace back and forth. I couldn’t even sit down. The energy just being at my house, knowing what they were getting into being on the road against Philly in a hostile environment, those are the moments you dream of in the playoffs against a really good football team. To pull that off was outstanding. Another big test this week.
On an NFC Championship Game comeback as a motivational chip for his teammates:
I’ve obviously had communication with my teammates the entire way about it. But everything they’ve done on the field up to this point is a testament to them and the preparation they’ve put in every week. I’m here just to be a resource where I can.