49ers' Fred Warner won't return for playoff tilt vs. Seahawks - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Fred Warner's comeback will have to wait at least another week.

Despite the linebacker's refusal to rule out that he could be back from a fractured and dislocated right ankle as soon as Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers are sticking with the original plan to potentially activate him for the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 25 if they can advance.

Coach Kyle Shanahan has maintained all along that the Niners were targeting the NFL's final four for any possible Warner comeback. On Thursday, after the 49ers wrapped up their final practice of the week, Shanahan announced that Warner will not come off injured reserve this week, but he said he was encouraged that the NFC title game timeline remains in play.

«We feel confident in that,» Shanahan said. «We'll see if it works out.»

Warner offered at least some optimism Wednesday when asked whether his return might come as early as Saturday in Seattle. He said he was taking it «day by day» and pointed out that the 49ers opened his 21-day practice window this week even after initially saying they wouldn't.

From there, Warner was his usual, energetic self on the practice field and participated on a limited basis for the second day in a row. But the 49ers dialed it back Thursday; Warner was on the field in shorts and a jersey but no helmet during the portion of practice open to media.

Warner was officially listed as a nonparticipant, with Shanahan saying that he did not have a setback and that he looked «good» in Wednesday's practice.

Warner will travel with the team to Seattle.

His mere presence on the practice field offered an emotional shot in the arm for a team in need of one after losing tight end George Kittle for the season