Coach Kyle Shanahan said Warner won’t return until at least the NFC Championship Game.
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“Believe it’s too far away “Right now,” Shanahan said Monday, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “I think it’s a possibility, as we get closer to a possible third game here: a championship game. But it’s not something we’re thinking about right now.”
The 49ers are suddenly short at linebacker.
Warner hasn’t played since dislocating and fracturing his right ankle in Week 6, and his replacement, Tatum Bethune, is now out for the season after breaking his groin in the Week 18 loss to the Seahawks. Shanahan said Bethune may need surgery.
Eric Kendricks will now take over.
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“He’s been here long enough,” Shanahan said of his confidence in Kendricks. “In these games he’s been in, over the last few weeks, he’s done a good job and I’m glad we hired him for this situation.”
Linebackers Dee Winters (ankle) and Luke Gifford (quadriceps) will be evaluated later this week.