Featured Image Credit: Julio Aguilar / Stringer via Getty
Topics: NFL, Injury, American Football
James Taylor
Topics: NFL, Injury, American Football
The San Francisco 49ers have been dealt a $16 million blow to their salary cap after a star player suffered a horrific injury.
The 49ers fell to their second defeat of the NFL season on Sunday, losing 30-19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are now 5-1.
Although the loss was disappointing, the main concern for 49ers fan was the injury to Fred Warner, who has been one of their most reliable players.
The linebacker has only missed one game in the previous 122 because of an injury, so his absence will come as a surprise to supporters. However, he suffered a broken and disclosed right ankle that will require surgery and is expected to rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
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49ershead coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged how significant the injury will be to the side.
He said: "He's one of our best players, also a huge leader, so obviously, a huge blow. I feel bad for Fred right now."
Warner's injury is not just a major setback on the field, it is also a costly one financially.
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Although his base pay is just $1.26 million, his contracts includes significant guarantees and bonuses.
Because of those guarantees, Warner will receive most, if not all of his salary while he is injured. But the blow for the team against the salary cap is much greater.
Warner's contract carries a $16 million salary cap hit for the rest of the season.
That figure includes portions of his signing on bonus and guaranteed money, that will count against them if he does not take to the pitch.
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Some fans may wonder whether the team could free up space by cutting Warner.
But that would make the financial picture even worse.
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Warner signed a three year contract worth $63 million in May this year, which included a significant amount that was guaranteed.
Because of those guarantees, they would still owe him a significant amount of money on their cap, which is known as the 'dead cap'.
They would also have to pay the remaining part of his signing bonus straight away, which would provide an immediate financial pressure.
Because of the amount of guaranteed money in Warner's contract and the acceleration of his payments, it would cost the 49ers on their salary cap to cut him now.
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As a result, the 49ers have no realistic option but to keep Warner on the roster despite his season-ending injury.