Warning: What you're about to see and read will make you very angry.
That disclaimer isn't just to create shock value. It's true. And when looking back to what'll be an infamous play in San Francisco 49ers history -- one that led to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner's devastating season-ending ankle injury in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- it's wholly justified.
If you missed a minor detail just before safety Ji'Ayir Brown rolled up Warner's ankle, it's OK. Seemingly everyone on the Niners' side missed the same detail, too.
Otherwise, someone would have called a timeout.
The devastating detail? San Francisco had only 10 defenders on the field for the play on which Warner was injured.
49ers had only 10 defenders on field during Fred Warner's injury
NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan pointed out shortly after the game how the 49ers didn't field a full 11-player defense on the specific play where Warner was hurt,
#49ers only had 10 men on the field on the play when Fred Warner was injured.
— Jennifer Lee Chan -all platforms: @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) October 13, 2025
Would that have prevented the injury? Maybe. Would it have changed the way the play unfolded? Definitely. pic.twitter.com/w8qmcxrDsb
Now, did that lead directly to Warner's ankle being both dislocated and broken? It's almost impossible to say, but the lack of a defensive lineman on the weakside of the formation allowed for a wide-open rushing lane for the Bucs to attack.
And, subsequently, a gap Warner tried to plug.
Chan described how the play went down, as Tampa Bay offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs pushed toward the open gap.
"As Wirfs pushed Warner in the direction of the 49ers' sideline, running back Rachaad White made his way past Warner which drew both Brown and Sigle over to make the tackle, with both eventually landing awkwardly on top of Warner’s ankle. ...
At the end of the play Wirfs immediately signaled to the sidelines that Warner needed medical attention. Buccaneers receiver Tez Johnson also signaled but then turned away quickly, covering his face with his hands after seeing the gruesome injury."
Again, the lack of a weakside defensive end might not have been the reason why Warner was injured, but the Niners' defensive gaffe surely played a big part in the domino effect that ended the All-Pro's season.
Even worse, no one noticed San Francisco was without a needed defender. Not even Warner. Otherwise, he or someone else would have called a timeout.
An epitome of "adding insult to injury."