(Video) ‘Emotional’ Fred Warner welcomes back Dre Greenlaw as 49ers push for playoffs

Fred Warner was ecstatic to reunite with Dre Greenlaw against the Rams after Greenlaw's early-season absence rehabbing a torn Achilles.

(Video) ‘Emotional’ Fred Warner welcomes back Dre Greenlaw as 49ers push for playoffs

Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner (Image via ESPN/IMAGO)

Dre Greenlaw sat on the sidelines and watched the San Francisco 49ers abysmal start to the 2024 season. One of the Niners’ emotional leaders on and off the pitch had no other option but to wait until he finally received the call.

Greenlaw’s rehab was coming along nicely, and the coaches let him train with the team the last couple of weeks before elevating him for the Niners’ crucial week 15 fixture against the Los Angeles Rams. Before the kickoff, Richard Sherman spoke with star pass rusher Fred Warner and asked about the excitement level to have Greenlaw back beside him.

YouTube video

I can’t even put it into words. You know me and him, that’s my little brother. Seeing him go down in the Super Bowl was super emotional, but the fact that we have him back today, I can’t even describe it.

Fred Warner said

Why didn’t Dre Greenlaw play during the earlier games of 2024?

The San Francisco 49ers reached Super Bowl LVIII on the back of a pass rush spearheaded by Warner, Greenlaw, and Nick Bosa. Greenlaw used to be overshadowed by his two seniors on the team, but he came under the spotlight by recording 1.5 sacks, 120 total tackles (75 solo), and four passes defended in the 2023 regular season. He also had 2 interceptions in the Niners’ divisional-round win over the Green Bay Packers.

(Video) 'Emotional' Fred Warner welcomes back Dre Greenlaw as 49ers push for playoffs
Dre Greenlaw (Image via ESPN)

However, they fell short in the Super Bowl. It’s not that they played badly, but injuries hampered their game plan. However, the injury to Greenlaw broke their backbone and morale.

While coming on for the play midway through the game, the former fifth-round pick slipped and tore his Achilles. The cameras caught a devastated Warner watching the medical team taking Greenlaw away on the cart. He later described the moment as one of the worst of his life.

Greenlaw underwent a successful surgery, and his ETA was around January 2025. So, if the Niners qualify for the playoffs, he will be able to start for them once more. Unfortunately, they are 6-7 and hang between qualification and elimination.

Warner provided encouraging information about Greenlaw’s rehab.

Dre is doing great. I see him every day doing his rehab. Obviously, [he] is in great spirits regardless of not being out there on the field. He’s on track with everything. He looks great. And I do miss him. I miss him a lot.

Fred Warner said via the 49ers Webzone

The Niners eventually activated Greenlaw for the Rams game, and barring any sudden changes, he will remain in the starting lineup for the rest of the year.

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