49ers’ Warner on COVID-19 reserve list.
He is the first player to go on the list since the start of training camp
SANTA CLARA >> Star linebacker Fred Warner became the 49ers’ most prominent player to go on the league’s COVID-19 reserve list, re-igniting coronavirus concerns after what had been an incident-free training camp.
The 49ers did not have a player go on the league’s COVID-19 list the previous four weeks, not since activating their only two other players who landed on it — Richie James Jr. and
Jeff Wilson Jr.
“The No. 1 thing is hopefully Fred is OK, but it’s just a reminder of the seriousness of what’s going on,” defensive lineman Arik Armstead said. “I know you get in the groove of things; you get in a rhythm and a schedule and you forget about COVID and how serious it is.”
The 49ers can not disclose if Warner has the coronavirus or if he merely came into contact with someone who does. Warner’s agent declined comment citing medical privacy.
“It’s just a good reminder that no one’s out of the woods,” coach Kyle Shanahan said of the coronavirus. “When you go a few weeks with nothing happening, you start to feel pretty safe. It’s a reminder this stuff is out there. I’m not going to get into (Warner’s status) because I can’t.”
Players have been tested daily for COVID-19 since reporting to camp a month ago.
Warner missed practice the past two days. He’s been the 49ers’ leading tackler while starting every game the past two seasons, and he enjoyed an otherwise outstanding training camp the past two weeks for the reigning NFC champions.
“Fred is as much of a pro as I’m been around,” Shanahan said. “While he’s not in here, I’m sure he’s in his apartment doing bag drills, just go
ing crazy that he can’t be in here.
“Fred’s a stud. Whenever he can come back, he’ll be ready to go.”
Warner was limited to a lighter workload in Friday’s practice, but it’s not believed to have been related to his COVID-19 status.
If Warner tested positive for COVID-19, he’d have to pass multiple tests before returning, as early as Thursday. The average time a player has spent on the NFL’s COVID-19 list is 81/2 days, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
“It’s a quick reminder how things can go and how we need to continue to be safe, take care of each other, protect each other and our families, and practice safe and healthy habits and social distancing,” Armstead added.
Last week, an East Coast lab fell into question with 77 false positive tests from multiple NFL teams; the 49ers use a local lab, it’s believed.
Fellow linebacker Dre Greenlaw has not practiced the past two days because he is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, Shanahan revealed.
Linebacker is one of the 49ers’ deepest positions. Kwon Alexander figures to start at weak-side linebacker next to Warner, with Greenlaw a part-time player at strongside linebacker. Azeez Al-Shaair, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Mark Nzeocha and Joe Walker are also bidding for spots on the initial, 53-man roster due Saturday as the 49ers cut from 80.
Warner wears the helmet including a radio that receives defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s play calls. Shanahan wouldn’t say who would handle that role if Williams is out for the Sept. 13 opener but Alexander is the most likely candidate. Al-Shaair took first-team reps in Warner’s place Sunday. KITTLE ON VERGE OF RETURN >> Tight end George Kittle missed his third straight practice with hamstring tightness but is expected to return later this week, Shanahan said. The 49ers next practice Wednesday through Friday.
Several other 49ers continue to rest or rehabilitate injuries, including tight end Ross Dwelley (foot), defensive ends Nick Bosa (leg) and Dee Ford (calf), wide receiver Brandon
Aiyuk (hamstring), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (hamstring), center Ben Garland (ankle) and guard Ross Reynolds (knee).
MCKINNON’S ‘ANXIOUS’ COMEBACK >> Jerick McKinnon declared himself “ready to go,” two years after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and requiring a follow-up procedure.
“Shoot, I feel good. The last two camps, I didn’t make it through, so to make it through this one, it definitely feels good,” McKinnon said. “The whole way through has been a smooth process and the staff has been working with my on little things through the rehab process to keep up my body maintenance.”
McKinnon’s receiving skills are tops amid a running back corps that includes Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, JaMychal Hasty and Wilson.
PRACTICE NOISE >> The 49ers returned inside Levi’s Stadium on Monday morning to practice, this time with music in anticipation of possible artificial crowd noise this season; the NFL has yet to announce the parameters of such noise and Monday’s was at an easy-listening decibel level in the high 60s. Friday’s session was held without music or fake crowd noise
TRENT WILLIAMS RESTS >> Left tackle Trent Williams took off Monday’s practice to rest for his first break as a 49er. Williams is expected to practice Wednesday. He appeared to work through aches and pains to different body parts Friday and Sunday. A seventime Pro Bowler for Washington, Williams has looked dominant
throughout camp as he shakes off rust from sitting out last season.
K’WAUN WILLIAMS RETURNS >> Nickel back K’Waun Williams returned to practice, having missed all but the first day of camp practices because of a mild calf strain.
TOP PICK PRACTICES AGAIN >>Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw took part in practice after missing Sunday’s session for undisclosed reasons. This year’s top draft pick had participated in every previous session and figures to rotate in game action with Solomon Thomas, D.J. Jones, Kentavius Street and Armstead.
ARMSTEAD’S SOCIAL VOICE >> Armstead, continuing a theme to open his press conferences with a social issue, stressed the importance of education equality, a topic that inspired him to start his Armstead Academic Project.
“It’s important that we think about how we’re equipping our students to be successful in life and also think about the students we’re leaving behind,” Armstead said. “Studies show if we address education inequality, that will be a big step addressing a lot of other inequality in our country.”
Armstead has been educating himself on who voters should elect in his native Sacramento/Elk Grove area, and he noted that the 49ers are striving to register all players to vote this November.
“The information is all over the place but take some time out to inform yourself on who the city council people are, who the D.A. is, who the mayor is, who the police chief is. Those are the people who are going to impact your daily life and your family’s daily life. That’s super important.
“And not just saying, ‘Go vote,’ but how we educate ourselves on who we’re voting for.”
Armstead is among the 49ers’ players helping decide how to allocate a $1 million donation from the team owners to impact social equality.
FAN CUTOUTS >> The 49ers are inviting fans to upload a photo of themselves, a spouse, child and/or pet for a collection of cutouts that will be appear behind the Levi’s Stadium end zones for at least the Sept. 13 opener. The $149 costs benefits the 49ers Foundation and educational philanthropies. Sept. 9 is the deadline.