AROUND THE SHIELD — Fred Warner’s role in San Francisco’s Week 4 contest against the New England Patriots had a little bit of Charles Dickens, in that it was both the best and worst of moments.
First, the good.
The 27-year-old All-Pro linebacker out of BYU showed out as he had his second career pick six in the second quarter of the Niners’ 30-13 win over the Patriots. Warner high-pointed a pass from Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett intended for Tyquan Thornton, fell from unconscionable heights in the middle of the park, and dusted himself off for 45 yards before diving into the end zone.
But Warner later said he thought about getting to the end zone “as soon as I got up.”
“You don’t get into the end zone unless you have your teammates having your back in that situation,” Warner said. “I’m glad we got that one.”
The defensive score stretched San Francisco’s lead to 13-0 with 14:01 left in the half, and marked the Patriots’ first interception of the year.
“That was awesome. I thought the defense was awesome all day,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game. “But any time you score, even better.”
In his seventh season in the league, the former third-round draft pick and three-time Pro Bowler seems to be getting better with age, Shanahan added — if that’s even possible.
“It’s kind of hard to say that; he’s been so good every year,” the coach said. “But the way he started out this year, it’s been a big-time year for him so far.”
It wasn’t all good for Warner and the Niners (2-2), though.
The San Diego product later injured his ankle and was one of four key players ruled out for the second half, including tight end George Kittle (ribs) and defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (knee).
Shanahan said Warner attempted to warm up after halftime but “didn’t feel he could go.”
“I would’ve been out there if I could’ve been,” Warner said. “We’ll see as I get more information on it.
“It’ll take a lot for me to tap out,” he added. “We’ll get more information with scans and stuff. But I feel good right now.”
Here’s a look at other former Utah high school and college football standouts who stood out on Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season.
Monday Night Football
Tennessee vs. Miami, 5:30 p.m. MDT
Titans (0-3)
- No locals on the active roster
Dolphins (1-2)
Seattle vs. Detroit, 6:15 p.m. MDT
Seahawks (3-0)
- Jaren Hall, QB, BYU/Maple Mountain
- Satoa Laumea, OG, Utah
Lions (2-1)
- Sione Vaki, RB, Utah
- Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (via Oregon)
- Tim Patrick, WR, Utah
Sunday Night Football
Baltimore 35, Buffalo 10
Ravens (2-2)
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker had two sacks, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble in his third straight game with multiple sacks on defense
- Marcus Williams, S, Utah: Starting safety finished with two tackles
Bills (3-1)
- Cole Bishop, S, Utah: Reserve safety made six tackles
- Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Starting tight end caught team-high five passes for 47 yards on offense
- Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Inactive for Week 4 (forearm)
Sunday afternoon
Atlanta 26, New Orleans 24
Falcons (2-2)
- Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran for team-high 60 yards on eight carries (7.5 ypc)
- Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Reserve cornerback made three tackles on defense
- Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): Starting linebacker had six tackles, a quarterback hit on defense
Saints (2-2)
- Taysom Hill, TE, BYU: Starting tight end ran for 24 yards on six carries, including two touchdowns, before exiting game with reported abdominal injury
- Dallin Holker, TE, Lehi (via BYU/Colorado State): Inactive for Week 4
- Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran three times for 11 yards, caught two passes for 8 yards on offense; returned two kickoffs for 58 yards
- Rashid Shaheed, WR/RS, Weber State: Starting wide receiver caught eight passes for 83 yards, ran twice for 14 yards on offense; returned two punts for 17 yards with a fair catch, three kickoffs for 75 yards on special teams
Cincinnati 34, Carolina 24
Bengals (1-3)
- Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU: Averaged 56,7 yards on three punts for 170 yards, with two punts downed inside the 20
- Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Starting running back ran 15 times for 51 yards, caught four passes for 27 yards with a touchdown
- Tanner McLachlan, TE, Southern Utah (via Arizona): Inactive for Week 4
- Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham (via USC): Starting defensive tackle made two tackles
Panthers (1-3)
- Brady Christensen, OG, BYU/Bountiful: Reserve guard also played on special teams
Chicago 24, Los Angeles 18
Bears (2-2)
- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Starting cornerback had five tackles and a tackle for loss
- Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray: Started at left tackle
- Noah Sewell, LB, Orem (via Oregon): Reserve linebacker also played on special teams
Rams (1-3)
- No locals on the active roster
Minnesota 31, Green Bay 29
Vikings (4-0)
- Taki Taimani, DL, East (via Oregon): Defensive lineman also played on special teams
Packers (2-2)
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Starting quarterback completed 32-of-54 passes for 389 yards with four touchdowns, three interceptions and a sack taken
- Zayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury: Reserve safety made one tackle on special teams
Houston 24, Jacksonville 20
Texans (3-1)
- Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): Starting tight end caught three passes for 34 yards
Jaguars (0-4)
- Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Inactive for Week 4
Indianapolis 27, Pittsburgh 24
Colts (2-2)
- Blake Freeland, OT, BYU/Herriman: Active, but did not play
- Julian Blackmon, S, Utah/Layton: Starting safety had six tackles, a sack, and recovered a fumble on defense
- Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Made field goals of 33 and 35 yards with three extra points)
Steelers (3-1)
- Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East (via Oklahoma State): Inactive for Week 4
- Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Reserve safety also played on special teams
Denver 10, New York 9
Broncos (2-2)
- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Inactive for Week 4
- Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Starting linebacker had a team-high 10 tackles on defense
- Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake: Started at left tackle on offense
- Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah: Reserve linebacker made two tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry on defense
- Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah: Inactive for Week 4
Jets (2-2)
- No locals on the active roster
Tampa Bay 33, Philadelphia 16
Buccaneers (3-1)
- No locals on the active roster
Eagles (2-2)
- Britain Covey, WR/RS, Utah/Timpview: Placed on injured reserve (shoulder)
Washington 42, Arizona 14
Commanders (3-1)
- Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Reserve cornerback made one tackle on special teams
- Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker totaled a team-high 11 tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit on defense
Cardinals (1-3)
- Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Inactive for Week 4
San Francisco 30, New England 13
49ers (2-2)
- Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker had seven tackles and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown on defense
- Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Averaged 44.3 yards on three punts (133 yards) with a long of 47
Kansas City 17, Los Angeles 10
Chiefs (4-0)
- Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU/Orem: Reserve tackle also played on special teams
Chargers (2-2)
- Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton (via Stanford): Reserve wide receiver also made one tackle on special teams
- Alohi Gilman, S, Orem (via Notre Dame): Starting safety made three tackles on defense
Las Vegas 20, Cleveland 16
Raiders (2-2)
- Andre James, C, Herriman (via UCLA): Started at center on offense
- Jackson Powers-Johnson, OG, Corner Canyon (via Oregon): Started at left guard on offense
Browns (1-3)
- Winston Reid, LB, Weber State/Copper Hills: Reserve linebacker made one tackle on special teams
Patriots (1-3)
- No locals on the active roster
Thursday Night Football
Dallas 20, New York 15
Cowboys (2-2)
- Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Did not play after practice squad elevation expired (not subject to waivers; vested veteran)
Giants (1-3)
- No locals on the active roster