dpSANTA CLARA — Linebacker Fred Warner was back on the field in the season opener for the first time since he sustained a fractured and dislocated right ankle on Oct. 12.
Perhaps, a big deal was not made of Warner’s return for Week 1 because he was on pace to play in January if the 49ers had advanced another round in the NFL playoffs.
There has been little discussion of Warner’s recovery this summer because his physical condition was never an issue.
And his play in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams was just a continuation of Warner’s dominance.
“He amazes me every day,” coach Kyle Shanahan said on 49ers Game Plan. “Fred is one of the most amazing people I’ve been around.”
Warner registered a game-high 11 tackles in the 49ers’ 27-7 victory over the Rams. In the process, Warner surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis for the most tackles in franchise history. Warner also came through with his 18th career forced fumble.
Shanahan described Warner as a “freak, in terms of a player.” He cited Warner’s height, weight, length, speed and physicality. In his previous eight NFL seasons, Warner was chosen four times as a first-team All-Pro selection.
In addition to his physical attributes, Warner separates himself with his approach to his craft, Shanahan said.
“I’ve never been around a guy who just, every single day, seems like it’s the most important day of his life, just in terms of how he attacks everything,” Shanahan said. “I mean, it’s every day in the season for 17 straight weeks. But come up here in February and just look how he is out on the field every day once the offseason starts.
“He is the most consistent human I’ve been around, which is why he gets better and better each year. The way he played last week was amazing.”
Warner was a third-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was a starter from the beginning of his career. Shanahan said they knew in his second season that Warner was already a great player.
“And I think he’s gotten better every year since,” Shanahan said.
