SANTA CLARA — Fred Warner made it to the field Friday but was listed as questionable to face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
Warner missed the second half of last week’s 30-13 win over the New England Patriots and hasn’t practiced this week. He made to the field for the beginning of the practice Thursday but then did not participate.
Those who will not face the Cardinals are defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan Fowles (ankle). Wide receiver Chris Conley was doubtful with an oblique injury. Listed as questionable along with Warner were tight end George Kittle (ribs), cornerback Isaac Yiadom (thigh), wide receiver Jacob Cowing (shoulder) and defensive tackle Kalia Davis (knee).
Warner was on the field with his position group during the brief media window window, a practice that is without pads and typically includes red zone work in a short session. Both after the Patriots game and during the week, Warner has been walking without a limp or protective boot.
Also on hand was Kittle, who at point during drills made a leaping catch at full extension from Brock Purdy on a short pass into the end zone.
The last time Warner missed a game was Dec. 5, 2021, a 23-20 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Since that day Warner has played in 52 consecutive games including the postseason.
The quarterback for Seattle that day was Russell Wilson, and this time it’s a roughly similar challenge in Kyler Murray, given his ability to create with both his feet and strike downfield with his arm.
With Dre Greenlaw also out for that Seattle game, the 49ers played almost exclusively in a nickel defense with five defensive backs and two linebackers, with Azeez Al-Shaair and Flannigan-Fowles as the strong and weak side linebackers.
With Flannigan-Fowles out, available linebackers in the event of Warner’s absence are De’Vondre Campbell, Dee Winters, Jalen Graham and rookie Tatum Bethune. Dre Greenlaw remains on injured reserve and isn’t likely to return until midseason at the earliest while rehabbing a torn Achilles.
Campbell’s play has been uneven so far, particularly while defending the pass. Winters has had an ankle injury dating back to the exhibition finale. Graham was a 49ers seventh-round pick in 2023 and played sparingly. He was released at the cutdown to 53 and signed to the practice squad of the Washington Commanders, and the 49ers brought him back this week.
Bethune, a seventh-round draft pick from Florida State, has played in three games with just four defensive snaps, playing 43 snaps on special teams. General manager John Lynch floated the idea of Bethune getting some time as a defensive signal caller Friday morning on his weekly appearance on KNBR-680.
“A little bit through training camp we saw Tatum have the makeup of a guy who could be a signal caller because they are the ones with the coach in there ear,” Lynch said. “Tatum is that kind of guy. He can grab a huddle, he can communicate, and the guy is a tackling machine.”
If the 49ers choose to play with five defensive backs as they did in 2021 when Warner was hurt, the 49ers could choose to utilize three safeties on some alignments with Talanoa Hufanga and rookie Malik Mustapha playing along with Ji’Ayir Brown.
Hufanga played for the first time since tearing an ACL last season in Week 3 against the Rams and missed the New England game with an ankle injury. Both Hufanga and Mustapha, who played all 64 snaps against the Patriots, have the capability to play near the line of scrimmage in roles similar to a linebacker.
The only linebacker available on the practice squad is DaShaun White.
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WILLIS TO RECEIVE HOF RING
Linebacker Patrick Willis, a 2024 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, will receive his Hall of Fame ring Sunday during a halftime ceremony.
The 49ers will also recognize longtime photographer Michael Zagaris, the team’s official photographer since 1973.
