49ers’ Fred Warner: ‘I don’t have to be like, oh man, my leg is throbbing’

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Not exactly hiding in plain sight is arguably the 49ers’ best comeback story this season.

That’s not to minimize those of George Kittle, Nick Bosa, coach Kyle Shanahan, and more.

As important and inspiring as any is the one camouflaged by Fred Warner’s business-as-usual, ultra-fiery demeanor.

“I feel back to myself again,” Warner said after Tuesday’s joint practice with the host Los Angeles Chargers. “I don’t have to constantly be like, ‘Oh man, my leg is throbbing.’ It’s just regular football soreness at this point.

“But when you don’t play for over half a season, your body feels pretty fresh just to get to go out there and fly around.”

That includes hyping up the team huddle to start practice, punching at footballs cradled by running backs, and inciting as much violence as allowed in a non-tackle setting.

Ten months ago, Warner’s right ankle was fractured and pointing 90-degrees the wrong way, earning him a cart ride off Tampa Bay’s field with 49ers’ orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tim McAdams.

“I can’t tell you how thankful I am, honestly, of just how it recovered. I don’t have to think about it much,” Warner said. “It doesn’t require any extra after-practice treatment. God is amazing in that way.”

Warner does not need this preseason — does anyone, really? — for a final test. Tonight’s second exhibition against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium is needed more from a linebacker perspective to pick Warner backups from a deep unit, including Tatum Bethune, Nick Martin, Jaden Dugger, Garrett Wallow and Jalen Graham. Warner had positive things to say of each from last Thursday’s preseason opener with the Titans.

As for Warner himself, he already has come from, ahem, a land down under and reclaimed All-Pro Fred status three weeks ahead of the regular-season opener in Melbourne, Australia, where the Los Angeles Rams will host the 49ers at the 100,000-seat Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Last time the Rams hosted the 49ers, Warner popped off his helmet and celebrated a walk-off, fourth-down tackle in overtime by the defense, the one he’s commanded since 2018 as the Mike linebacker through five coordinator changes.

As training camp began 3 1/2 weeks ago, 49ers general manager John Lynch anticipated Warner wouldn’t tip-toe into it. “Fred, you can’t hold that guy back, and he wants to be full throttle, and I think he will be,” Lynch said.

Warner called Tuesday’s joint practice with the host Chargers another “good test” for he and the defense, despite Justin Herbert’s multiple completions deep against the secondary. The 49ers’ defensive highlight came when Warner, of course, punched a ball free from tight end David Njoku.

A week earlier, Warner was a tempest with practice-field banter that intentionally riled up Titans quarterback Cam Ward, all in an effort to teach the second-year star how to maintain his composure and lead under new coach Robert Saleh, Warner’s former defensive coordinator.

That mentorship role looms larger among the 49ers, however.

“I’ve got two of the best backers in the game to learn from,” Martin said of Warner and Dre Greenlaw. “I’m super blessed to have them leading us and I’m soaking up all their wisdom. They’re super genuine guys and love to work, and so do I.”

Warner insists he’s more of a lead-by-example captain, that “words are cheap,” even though there is no better orator on the 49ers.

“It doesn’t matter what I’ve done in this league or what Dre’s done,” Warner said. “What makes us great is our hunger for the game and wanting to prove ourselves every day. That feeds the rest of the group. It’s a hungry group.”

Warner was so hungry to return to the 49ers last season that he was poised to do so if they upset Seattle in the divisional round and reached the NFC Championship Game.

He took an unusual road back from his Oct. 12 ankle fracture and dislocation. He took up swimming, at the nearby watering hole of San Jose State’s picturesque pool.

“It was really helpful, pumping the ankle when I was unable to walk and getting back in (to the pool) to get the cardio in,” Warner said. “That was a big reason why I came back in the playoffs as quick as I did, in as good a shape as I was. The pool helped a ton.”

“All that hard work only made it better as he entered this offseason,” Lynch said July 25. “… He basically was a healthy player just training this offseason. Obviously (he is) giving some care to the ankle, but that is in his mind behind him, and that’s a testament to the type of worker he is.”

The swim sessions are on hold. “Right now, it’s all about just ’ball,” added Warner, whose 947 career tackles are three shy of the 49ers’ all-time record held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis.

When it comes to the 49ers’ defensive potency, their front revolves around the ACL comebacks of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams. But the addition of defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa is already looking great in the eyes of the man behind him, Warner.

“I love the mindset, the tenacity, the physicality he brings to the position,” Warner said, after Odighizuwa repeatedly pressured Chargers quarterbacks Tuesday. “We know how important it is to get pressure up front on the quarterback and in the run game, so Osa is going to continue to get better.”

While Warner’s range in pass coverage has somewhat revolutionized his position (56 pass defenses), he’s still got moves, illustrated by his ability to deflect and nearly intercept a Brock Purdy pass or two in mid-range coverage.

Since 1994, no 49er has forced more fumbles than Warner with 17, plus one in 12 playoff games. “It’s beyond the point of me trying to get punchouts,” Warner said. “It’s: How can I be infectious to the team and have it on their minds?”

Last year, teammate Christian McCaffrey won the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. This week, Warner was listed ninth among 10 candidates on NFL.com, sandwiched between two quarterbacks from the same team, Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa.

NOTE: More regular starters are expected to play for the 49ers tonight than in last Thursday’s 19-13 preseason-opening loss to the Titans, with coach Kyle Shanahan noting there is a “good chance” quarterback Brock Purdy makes a cameo. Running back Kaelon Black is expected to debut after missing last game and 2 ½ weeks because of an adductor injury.