Fred Warner burst into action with a gruesome ankle injury for the 49ers

The 49ers’ defense suffered a devastating injury Sunday as star linebacker Fred Warner was carted off the field on a live broadcast during the first quarter against the Buccaneers.

Warner, a four-time Pro Bowler and 51 combined tackles, was stuck in a pack on a Raachad White run when safety Ji’Ayir Brown appeared to roll onto his right leg.

The entire 49ers team came onto the field as coaches checked him over, put his leg in the air and carried him off the field at Raymond James Stadium.

Warner, a 28-year-old third-round pick in 2018, has become the centerpiece of San Francisco’s defense, which entered Sunday tied for the sixth-best mark in the league in points allowed per game (19.6) under defensive coordinator and former Jets coach Robert Saleh.

The unit’s strong performance helped the 49ers overcome an injury to Brock Purdy — the starting quarterback missed his fourth game Sunday with a toe injury — while adjusting to backup quarterback Mac Jones.

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San Francisco led the Buccaneers 10-7 midway through the second quarter after Christian McCaffrey scored.