There is no getting around the fact the San Francisco 49ers, historically, have been one of the league's most-injured teams for well over a decade, predating head coach Kyle Shanahan's tenure by several years.
As such, there's been no shortage of theories about why this has been the case.
Including the notorious electrical substation just outside the team's practice facility next to Levi's Stadium. Without trying to dive into the science, apparently the frequency of electrical waves is wreaking havoc on Niners players, who seem way more prone to injuries than others elsewhere across the NFL.
All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who suffered his own serious ankle injury back in Week 6 and missed the rest of the season, is one such player.
So, understandably, the topic came up when Warner appeared on the St. Brown Podcast with wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother, Equanimeous St. Brown
Fred Warner isn't buying theories about electrical substation
The discussion about the substation popped up in head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's end-of-season press conference, indicating the conspiracy went well beyond some random posts on social media.
And it made it into the convo between Warner and the St. Brown brothers, too:
"When you look at the actual data behind if that is real or not, I think it is false."
— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) January 28, 2026
49ers LB Fred Warner speaks on the conspiracy that a substation is a reason why the 49ers have racked up more injuries than most teams over recent years 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/GGQbjhUQAI
"There's a lot of mixed reviews about that," Warner said when asked about the substation. "I think, at the end of the day, when you look at the actual data behind if that's real or not, I think it's false. And I'll be the first to tell you, because I train year-round at our facility. I'm not going to sit here and say that a substation was the reason why I got my ankle broken in half. That was a freak—that was a fluke injury, right?"
If one was to go back and watch Warner's injury, when safety Ji'Ayir Brown crashed into a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, who subsequently smashed into the linebacker's ankle, it's impossible to draw any link between the injury and the substation.
And Warner's longevity and injury avoidance prior to 2025 speak measures, too.
"Before that, I had missed one game," Warner added. "I had one game missed due to a fluke hammy that I had, where I stepped wrong. And I've been super healthy for seven-plus years."
Sounds like the substation isn't playing a role, at least according to Warner. But, if it is, perhaps the rest of the Niners should be doing whatever Warner is doing to stay healthy.
Hat tip to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone for the find and transcription.