Head coach Kyle Shanahan met with reporters on Monday following the San Francisco 49ers Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 49ers now stand at 4-2 and at the top of the NFC West after a physical road stretch that's tested the team's depth.

Injury Updates

San Francisco suffered a major setback with the loss of team captain and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who fractured and dislocated his ankle in Sunday's game. Shanahan confirmed that Warner is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Warner addressed the team in the locker room following the game. Shanahan said the gesture spoke volumes about Warner's character and connection to his teammates.

"Fred's not only as impressive of a football player I've ever been around, but as impressive of a human as I've ever been around," Shanahan said. "That's why we know he will come back next year stronger than ever."

Shanahan also shared updates on a list of players recovering from injuries:

• WR Jordan Watkins (calf): Expected to return to practice this week.
• WR Ricky Pearsall (knee): Still being evaluated, team will check for status on Wednesday.
• QB Brock Purdy (toe): Still being evaluated, team will check for status on Wednesday.
• DL Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring): Continuing rehab.
• DL Kevin Givens (pectoral): Will continue practicing.
• TE George Kittle (hamstring): Expected to return to practice this week.
• WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee): No timeframe, but trending positively in rehab.

Focused on the Future

Despite the emotional weight of the injuries that have occurred throughout the season, Shanahan's message to the team was clear, the focus remains on the road ahead.

"I don't really try to get us to focus on anything from the past. It's about what's happening going forward. The reality is we lost another really good player. But, what are we going to do about it? There's lots of stuff I can show our guys and stuff from the tape that's very encouraging.

"I think we have players here we can win with, but it makes it harder to make mistakes. I thought that was something we did too much of yesterday. Those are the things I'm really focused on now about if we want to make something out of our record going forward of what we've already accomplished with that 4-2. Guys got to keep getting better."

"I Got Your Back"

With two of the 49ers defensive stars Warner and DL Nick Bosa both sidelined, Shanahan noted that several young players now have the responsibility of larger roles and are showing signs of growth. Second-year linebacker Tatum Bethune stood in place of Warner in the second quarter and received some praise from the head coach.

"Tatum had a lot on his plate. He came in and I thought he did a lot of good things getting us lined up, but I think that's something he'll be a lot more ready for next week getting all the reps."

Shanahan also praised S Malik Mustapha, who returned from injured reserve and recorded 21 defensive snaps in his first game back.

"He looked good and moved around, flew around. He was ready for that moment and I liked that we were able to get him in there, do all that stuff and get him out healthy. Hopefully it'll be closer to that this week."

Shanahan is looking for Mustapha to eventually take over a starting spot. As for the other safety position, the team will continue to evaluate its rotation between Ji'Ayir Brown, Jason Pinnock, and Marques Sigle.

"I think we've got three guys who are capable there and those are what all those three guys are battling for. I don't think one guy's fully taken it and run with it like Mustapha did last year. So that's something that we're going to continue to evaluate. But, I don't think any of that's set in stone. We're trying to hope that they make that decision for us."

Looking Ahead

The 49ers will regroup at home this week before playing under the spotlight for the second time this season in another primetime game. San Francisco will face the 3-2 Atlanta Falcons in the Week 7 "Sunday Night Football" matchup at Levi's® Stadium. Despite adversity, the team's goals remain unchanged.