The San Francisco 49ers have every reason to be motivated as a road-traveling team in the Wild Card round of the playoffs when they square off with the Philadelphia Eagles with a trip to the divisional round on the line.
Not just to advance and keep Super Bowl dreams alive, but to also open up the door to a possibility All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner returns from the devastating ankle injury he suffered back in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Originally, that injury was presumed to be of the season-ending variety. But Warner, whose rehabilitation has been approached with the same ferocity and intensity as he carries on the field, put himself back into the mix to possibly return during the playoffs.
"I think it's a thing that will remain to be seen," general manager John Lynch said of Warner's recovery on KNBR 680. "But I know he's putting his heart and soul and his incredible work ethic to work every single day in an effort to do that."
Rumors pointed to a would-be return in the divisional round, meaning the Niners would have to get past Philly for that to happen.
However, in head coach Kyle Shanahan's post-Week 18 presser, fans might want to curb their enthusiasm about Warner's imminent return.
Kyle Shanahan pours cold water on Fred Warner rumors of imminent return
Speaking on a conference call last Monday, Shanahan was asked if Warner was getting close to being 100 percent and ready to resume his defensive duties.
Shanahan admitted the potential for that happening is getting closer, but the head coach acknowledged it's not something in San Francisco's plans right now.
"I think it's too far off right now," Shanahan said. "I think it is a possibility as we get closer to a possible third game here, [NFC] Championship game, but it's not something we're thinking about right now."
The 49ers have been stretched thin at linebacker as of late, and the season-ending loss of Tatum Bethune to a groin injury only magnifies the need to get Warner back on the field as soon as possible.
Yet it doesn't seem as if that's just around the corner.
And, if Shanahan is correct about the conference championship being the soonest potential game for the All-Pro to return, the Niners would still have to win two more postseason outings to open up that possibility.