Week 3 was a costly game for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
The NFL fined Warner twice for unnecessary roughness following San Francisco's Week 3 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, the league announced, according to multiple reports. The penalties added up to $41,793.
The larger of the two fines was $23,882 for use of his helmet. The second was $17,911 for a hip-drop tackle, a play that wasn't flagged during the game against Arizona.
#49ers LB Fred Warner was fined twice for a total of $41,793 in Week 3, including $17,911 for this hip-drop tackle that wasn’t flagged. pic.twitter.com/PSFFHuojeq
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 3, 2026
The hip-drop tackle has been a point of emphasis for the league, which has moved to curb the technique because of the injury risk it poses to ball
carriers. Even though officials didn't throw a flag in the moment, the NFL reviewed the play and decided it was worth a fine.
Despite the financial hit, Warner was his usual disruptive self on the field. He finished with 11 combined tackles in Week 3 and now has 33 combined tackles on the season, anchoring the middle of the 49ers' defense through the first three weeks.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL fines 49ers LB Fred Warner $41k for two Week 3 hits
