49ers' Warner reveals fractured ankle: I 'get it shot up every single game'
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner revealed Wednesday that he's playing through a fractured bone in his ankle.
"It's something I deal with every game," Warner said, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "I get on that table before every game and get it shot up every single game just to be able to roll. But it's not an excuse. It's just what it is. That's the NFL.
"You're not going to be healthy. You've got to go out there, you've got to find ways to execute, to play at a high level and to win every single week."
Warner suffered the injury in the first half of a late September win over the New England Patriots. He recorded seven tackles and a pick-6 before exiting the game. While he didn't play in the second half, he stated after the contest that he would be fine and returned the next game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Warner has played in every contest this season and hasn't been on the injury report since Week 6. He's expected to play in his ninth straight game with the ailment Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
"Any time you fracture a bone, if you just continue to play on it, the bone is usually not going to be able to heal itself. So, just got to continue to just fight through," Warner added.
The Niners are banged up. Nick Bosa and Trent Williams didn't practice Wednesday after not suiting up Sunday versus the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Brock Purdy was listed as limited in practice but threw only one pass in the open media period of Wednesday's session, per Wagoner.
Warner, a three-time All-Pro, has 84 tackles, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions this season.