SANTA CLARA – Fred Warner’s impact in the 49ers’ 2-0 start has not been overlooked, even after Nick Bosa and Bryce Huff produced strip-sack fumbles in the final minutes of each win.
Warner won NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors Wednesday. It’s the fourth such honor of a career that’s featured four All-Pro and four Pro Bowl designations.
The 49ers were clinging to a 19-14 lead late in Sunday’s third quarter at New Orleans when Warner forced an Alvin Kamara fumble at the 49ers’ 29-yard line. Warner recovered the loose ball, as an officiating replay ruled upon coach Kyle Shanahan’s successful challenge.
That takeaway was converted into the 49ers’ eventual winning points, on Mac Jones’ touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings with 12:18 remaining in the 26-21 triumph.
Warner’s 16th career forced fumble matched Pro Football Hall of Fame predecessor Patrick Willis for most in 49ers history.
Warner made a sensational, third-and-1 pass breakup 12 yards down the field on the penultimate defensive snap, which Huff followed up with his strip-sack of Spencer Rattler to lock up the win.
“The biggest thing in those moments is that nobody has to be Superman,” Warner said postgame. “(New Orleans) is the one that has to be Superman in those moments. They are the ones that have to try to chunk us down the field all the way to eventually score a touchdown.”
One of Warner’s team-high 11 tackles came when he and Upton Stout stopped Kendre Miller’s run for a 1-yard loss on the final play of the first half.
Warner’s previous player-of-the-week honors came in 2023 (Week 5 vs. Cowboys), 2020 (Week 16 at Cardinals), and 2019 (Week 12 vs. Packers).
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The 49ers play their home opener on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Kickoff is 1:25 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium.