49ers star LB Fred Warner suffers season-ending ankle injury

Beset by injuries to several key players, the San Francisco 49ers lost their defensive leader as All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner suffered a severe right ankle injury on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after a 30-19 road loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that Warner will need season-ending surgery after fracturing and dislocating his ankle.

In the first quarter, Warner was defending a running play when his right leg got caught up from behind by pursuing teammate Ji'Ayir Brown. Warner's right foot appeared to be pointing in the wrong direction before an air cast was placed on the leg by trainers.

Warner, in his eighth season, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first-team All-Pro. He landed the highest deal for an NFL linebacker in the offseason when he signed a three-year, $63 million contract extension with the 49ers.

He had one tackle before exiting against the Bucs. Entering Sunday's game, the 28-year-old had 50 tackles and two forced fumbles.

Warner has started 121 of 122 games since San Francisco selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has compiled 10 sacks, 10 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 17 forced fumbles and 948 tackles.

In addition to Warner, the 49ers lost star defensive end Nick Bosa for the season in Week 3 after he suffered a torn right ACL. Quarterback Brock Purdy (toe), tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and receivers Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) have all missed time this season as well.

With Sunday's defeat, San Francisco (4-2) fell into a three-way tie atop the NFC West with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.

--Field Level Media