49ers designated LB Fred Warner (ankle/IR) for return.

His 21-day practice window will open. The 49ers have been clear that Warner will not play unless they get to the NFC Championship game, even that seems quick for their superstar linebacker who has been on the shelf since early October. Warner’s return will be fresh air for the 49ers if they can get to it — they opened as seven-point underdogs to the Seahawks in Seattle after the NFC West champs throttled San Francisco for the title in Week 18.