SANTA CLARA, Calif .– San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner has been placed on the reserve / COVID-19 roster, the team announced Monday.
Warner is the third member of the 49ers to be on the roster, which targets players who have either tested positive for the coronavirus or have been in close contact with someone who has had it. Teams are not allowed to disclose if the player has tested positive.
The Niners had traveled most of the camp without any additions to the reserve / COVID-19 list. Receiver Richie James and running back Jeff Wilson attended on July 27 and July 30, respectively. Both were removed from the list on August 4.
Prior to the last two days, the number of league players on the reserve / COVID-19 roster had steadily declined. At one point last week there was only one player on the roster. That number was five Monday morning: Warner, New Orleans Saints running back Dwayne Washington, Carolina Panthers defensive back Derrek Thomas, Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Steven Means and the Jacksonville Jaguars take on Ryan Pope. .
“I think it’s just a good reminder that no one came out of the woods,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “When you go away for a few weeks without anything happening, you start to feel pretty safe, and it’s a reminder that this stuff is out there.”
Warner did not train on Sunday, after which defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said there were no concerns about injury to Warner, linebacker Dre Greenlaw or defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, not all of whom have participated in the session. Greenlaw did not practice again on Monday because he is in the concussion protocol, Shanahan said. Kinlaw returned to practice.
Warner is considered one of San Francisco’s best players after a decisive 2019 season in which he recorded 118 tackles, three sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles. NFL players voted Warner the 70th best player in the league this season.
“Fred gets better every year,” Shanahan said. “Fred is as much a pro as I am. Although he’s not here I’m sure he’s in his apartment doing sack exercises or wherever he lives he’s going crazy that he can’t be here. .. Whenever he can come back he will be good to go. “
.
