The 49ers just lost their defensive anchor—but their unexpected reunion with a rookie star could rewrite the season’s story.QQ
Santa Clara, CA – October 22, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers have suffered a devastating blow to the heart of their defense. Star linebacker Fred Warner has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 NFL season after suffering a
severe ankle injury in last week’s win.
Warner’s absence leaves an irreplaceable void in leadership, communication, and production — the three-time All-Pro has been the soul of the 49ers defense since 2018. Head coach
Kyle Shanahan called the loss “a gut punch,” but emphasized that the team would rally around its next man up.
In response, the 49ers have signed linebacker Stone Blanton to their practice squad, reuniting with the rookie who spent training camp with the team earlier this year. Blanton, 23, originally joined San Francisco as an undrafted free agent out of
Mississippi State and South Carolina, where he totaled 184 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles in college. His familiarity with the defensive system made him the natural choice to reinforce the linebacker depth.
Blanton wasn’t just another undrafted rookie in the 49ers’ offseason program — he became one of the surprise stories of training camp. Coaches and veterans alike praised his football IQ, physicality, and calm under pressure. During joint practices in August, Blanton drew attention for diagnosing plays before the snap and delivering tone-setting tackles against both the Raiders and Broncos’ first-team offenses.
Linebackers coach Johnny Holland described him then as “a natural communicator who carries himself like he’s already been here three years.” His preseason tape reflected that maturity: strong pursuit angles, confident reads in zone coverage, and a knack for rallying teammates between snaps. Though roster depth ultimately pushed him out of the initial 53-man lineup, his effort left a lasting impression inside the building — one that’s now earned him another shot in red and gold.
Blanton’s addition comes amid a series of roster moves designed to stabilize the defense following Warner’s injury. The team promoted defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr.
from the practice squad to the active roster. Beal, a 2023 fifth-round pick out of Georgia, has appeared in 19 career games, recording 15 tackles and one sack
.
To make room for Beal, the team released defensive lineman Trevis Gipson, though he was immediately re-signed to the practice squad later in the day. Gipson has appeared in three games this season and recovered one fumble.
