"But that line of optimism snapped alongside Fred Warner's ankle. The Niners showed they could survive almost anything. But how can this team push forward without its heart and soul? You know the mantra by nowit has been repeated so often around Santa Clara that it's become a complete cliche: Next man up. And that applies to almost everyone in the league. It does not apply to Warner."
"San Francisco spent the first five weeks of this season not just weathering a storm of injuries, and not just surviving, but even thriving without the contributions of George Kittle (out since the first half of Week 1), Brock Purdy (has played two games), Brandon Aiyuk (out since Week 7 of 2024), and Nick Bosa (season-ending injury in Week 3). For a roster that was built on the stars-and-scrubs model."
San Francisco began the season 4-1 while missing major contributors George Kittle, Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk and Nick Bosa. The 49ers lost 30-19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during which Fred Warner suffered an ankle injury. Warner's absence removes the team's defensive leader and fundamentally alters the unit's identity. The 'next man up' mantra applies to most positions but does not apply to Warner, who is characterized as irreplaceable and essential. The loss and Warner's injury exposed limits to the team's resilience and clouded prospects even as other stars were expected to return.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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