49ers' John Lynch gives shocking Fred Warner injury update

The San Francisco 49ers thought they lost who has been referred to as "the heart and soul of their defense" when linebacker Fred Warner went down with a dislocated and broken ankle in the club's Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 12. 

During the latest edition of the "49ers Game Plan" program hosted by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, 49ers general manager John Lynch indicated that the club hasn't completely slammed the door shut on Warner making an in-game appearance for San Francisco during the upcoming postseason tournament. 

Fred Warner rehabbing with a goal in mind

"Well, medically, no," Lynch said when asked if it's possible that Warner could play again this season. "I mean, the docs say it's probably on the wrong side of the range that they would suggest. But even the docs with Fred say, 'You know what? Let him rehab as if he's coming back for something, and we'll see where he's at."

Lynch left no doubt that the "something" is Warner returning to the field if the 49ers are able to go on a lengthy playoff run. 

"Every day," Lynch said about how many times he has heard from Warner about playing again this season. "Every day." 

As recently as for a mailbag published on Dec. 3, Matt Barrows of The Athletic noted that a recovery timeline of 16 weeks is considered "normal for athletes with Warner’s injury." The wild-card round of the playoffs is set to take place 13 weeks from when Warner suffered his setback. 

That said, the 49ers survived their latest injury crisis to enter their Week 14 bye at 9-4. They trail the 9-3 Los Angeles Rams and 9-3 Seattle Seahawks in the battle for first place in the NFC West standings. Meanwhile, the 9-3 Chicago Bears will begin Sunday as the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed. 

San Francisco next hosts the lowly Tennessee Titans (1-11) on Dec. 14. 

49ers will protect Fred Warner

"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 added during the interview. "And so we'll follow the orders of the doctors. They'll control this, but Fred is going to push the limits, and he is doing everything possible. He lives in a hyperbaric chamber [for] two, three hours a day. He's here all the time. He's unbelievable, this guy. It's what made him who he is." 

If nothing else, Warner could give his teammates a little extra motivation to want to continue playing for as long as possible, perhaps even through February.