Second-year linebacker Fred Warner didn't get to participate in the San Francisco 49ers' offseason program. He underwent a clean-up procedure on his knee before organized team activities.
Warner is healthy for training camp and spoke with reporters on Tuesday about re-joining his teammates on the practice field.
"It's great to be back out there with them, getting those reps in," Warner said. "I feel like that's the biggest thing you can do. Building chemistry, you've got to be out there getting reps with the guys."
Warner impressed during his rookie campaign. He finished 2018 with a team-high 124 total tackles, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble through 16 starts.
Warner feels like he's even better heading into Year 2. He discussed the difference between a year ago and now.
"Probably just confidence," Warner explained. "When you're a rookie, it's all about trying to learn the defense, trying to learn the guys, prove yourself. I feel like you're still proving yourself every year. I'm still trying to prove myself to my peers but, at the same time, I've been in the defense for a full season. I know what I'm capable of and what my expectations are of myself."
That experience is probably why Warner will continue handling the communication duties for the defense this season. It's rare for a rookie to do so, and cornerback Richard Sherman was impressed with the job Warner did managing the task.
"He's been incredibly poised in every situation," Sherman said last October. "There's a lot that goes into wearing a green sticker and calling plays. Sometimes the mic gets cut off in the middle of a play call, and he has to improvise. Sometimes the offense hurries to the line, and he has to call a play. All 10 guys are looking at him.
"He's done a phenomenal job, though. He's stayed locked in. He's stayed poised. He knows situations, and you've got to tip your cap to him."
Warner believes he'll benefit from his reps and experience as a rookie. No rookie linebacker took more snaps than Warner's 1,060, according to Pro Football Focus. In fact, only one rookie defender, safety Jessie Bates of the Cincinnati Bengals, had more.
"I think just getting those reps and experience in those plays last season has given me confidence going into this year," Warner said. "Not making the same mistakes twice, being able to anticipate plays, to then make more plays, play faster, help the guys around me."
