49ers' Fred Warner not ruling out return against Seahawks - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — One day after his 21-day practice window was opened, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner made it clear Wednesday that he hasn't ruled out returning from a fractured and dislocated right ankle as soon as Saturday night.

Upon opening Warner's practice window Tuesday, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said it was done with an eye toward a return for the NFC Championship Game should the Niners beat the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round.

Warner, speaking to local media Wednesday for the first time since injuring the ankle Oct. 12, suggested he could be back even sooner.

«We're taking it day by day,» Warner said. «I think they said last week they weren't going to open my window, and then my window is now open. So yeah, we're just taking it day by day.»

According to Warner and others, there are still multiple health checkpoints he must clear before he can return. Those might make playing Saturday a bit ambitious, but much will depend on how the next couple of days go.

Asked whether he is concerned that his return is happening too fast and that he could risk reinjury, Warner demurred.

«Everything up to this point has been in direct communication with the doctors, the trainers, everybody involved with my surgery,» Warner said. «Nothing up to this point has been done just out of just, 'Hey man, let's just go out and do it.'… Everything is scientifically based, right? So anytime you step out there on a football field… that's what this game is, a violent game. But at the same time, I'm not going to go out there and put myself at an added risk if I'm not ready.»

From an emotional standpoint, Warner's possible return comes at a good time for the 49ers, especially after tight end George Kittle landed on