Fred Warner has ambitious goal for return to 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have been without star linebacker Fred Warner since Oct. 12, when he went down with a significant ankle injury.

The 49ers have been stung hard by injuries this season, but Warner's was significant in a few ways for the team. One, he's talented. Let's not forget, he's a four-time All-Pro.

Warner is also a major leader for the 49ers' defense, though, so being without him on the field has had to come with some challenges for Robert Saleh's unit.

There is perhaps good news on the way for the 'Niners, though. On Tuesday, the team activated the 21-day practice window in which he can practice with the team without counting towards the roster. The idea, though, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, is that he could see the field in time for the NFC Championship game if the 49ers were to make it there.

Warner feels a bit more ambitious than that, though. Per Wagoner, the star linebacker told the media that he hasn't ruled out returning for this weekend's divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

"We're taking it day by day," Warner said on Wednesday. "I think they said last week they weren't going to open my window, and then my window is now open. So yeah, we're just taking it day by day."

Getting Fred Warner back would be a shot in the arm for San Francisco 49ers

It's worth noting that Warner isn't going to rush himself back. While he does seemingly want to make it back for this weekend's game, he's also realistic. If coming back means him getting injured again, he's not going ot risk it.

"Anytime you step out there on a football field ... that's what this game is, a violent game. But at the same time, I'm not going to go out there and put myself at an added risk if I'm not ready," he said.

With that said, even having Warner back in practice has given the 49ers a jolt. This is especially important because they just lost superstar tight end and another team leader, George Kittle, to a torn Achilles.

Having Warner back, in any capacity, can only help the 49ers.

"Just pure energy," Saleh said. "Fred is the ultimate energy giver, so just having him out there is awesome."

The 49ers would, of course, like to get Warner back onto the field in meaningful action, and it doesn't get more meaningful than this weekend's divisional clash.

After beating the Philadelphia Eagles, 23-19, the 'Niners must now travel to Lumen Field to take on the NFC's No. 1 seed.

Could the 49ers beat the Seahawks without Warner? That's absolutely a possibility.

Would it be more likely with him playing, though? At the very least, he's talking like he'll be able to help. 

"I didn't really think about the possibility of returning in season, but the way things progressed and being able to have this opportunity to be back with my teammates and have a chance at helping them win this week and so on and so forth, that's my only goal going forward," Warner said.