SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers opened their offseason training program Monday with a familiar face back healthy and leading the way: linebacker Fred Warner.
After suffering a season-ending right ankle injury in an Oct. 12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Warner is back at full strength for San Francisco's offseason program with no limitations on his participation.
"I'm feeling extremely blessed, grateful to be back, feeling great and no restrictions," Warner said. "Just able to jump right in."
In January, Warner had hoped he could return at some point in the postseason if the 49ers advanced far enough into the NFC playoffs for him to return to practice and knock off any rust.
The Niners opened Warner's 21-day practice window Jan. 13, and he was a limited participant that week as San Francisco prepared to play the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC divisional round.
A victory that week might have allowed Warner to play in the NFC Championship Game, but the Seahawks sent the 49ers packing in a 41-6 win.