Dee Winters Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the 49ers vs Colts game on Monday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 25, 2025
Minimal production against Caroina
Winters recorded one tackle (one solo) in Monday's 20-9 win over the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
Winters was on the field for all 46 of San Francisco's defensive snaps, but he had his least productive game of the season. It was an odd game script with Carolina attempting only 13 rushes, so Winters should bounce back in Week 13 against the Browns.
Nov 17, 2025
Double-digit tackles vs. Arizona
Winters posted 10 tackles (five solo) during the 49ers' 41-22 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Winters was given the green light to play Sunday after managing a knee injury during Week 11 prep, and he finished as the 49ers' second-leading tackler behind Curtis Robinson (12). It's the third time this year that Winters posted double-digit tackles, and the 2023 sixth-rounder is up to 77 tackles (52 solo) and three pass defenses through 11 regular-season games.
Nov 14, 2025
Good to go Week 11
Winters (knee) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against Arizona.
ANALYSIS
Winters logged an LP-LP-FP practice log during Week 11 prep, and he has been cleared to play in Sunday's NFC West clash. The third-year linebacker has posted 67 tackles (47 solo) and three pass defenses through 10 regular-season games.
Nov 12, 2025
Still managing knee issue
Winters (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters has been dealing with a knee issue since getting hurt Week 8 versus Houston. He has been able to suit up in each of San Francisco's two subsequent contests despite not logging a full practice during that time, so odds are that he'll be able to play again this Sunday versus Arizona. However, it makes sense to monitor Winters' practice status Thursday and Friday to be sure he continues to participate in some capacity.
Nov 11, 2025
Finishes with eight tackles Sunday
Winters recorded eight tackles (five solo) in Sunday's Week 10 loss to the Rams.
ANALYSIS
Winters tied for third on San Francisco in tackles. He also posted two QB hits, and one of his stops went for a loss. Winters continued to manage a knee injury during the week but was able to log 91 percent of the 49ers' defensive snaps.
Nov 9, 2025
Green light to play Week 10
Winters (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Rams, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters had his practice reps limited due to a knee injury, but the third-year pro has been cleared to play in Sunday's NFC West tilt. He has 59 tackles (42 solo) and three pass defenses through nine regular-season games.
Nov 7, 2025
Tagged as questionable Week 10
Winters (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters logged an LP-DNP-LP practice log to draw the questionable tag for Week 10. He has played nearly every single defensive snap through the first nine games of the regular season, so his absence would open the door for Curtis Robinson and rookie third-rounder Nick Martin to see more work at linebacker.
Nov 6, 2025
Misses practice Thursday
Winters (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
The linebacker played through the knee injury in Week 9 and was limited in practice Wednesday. Winters will have one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Rams. The third-year pro has played on nearly every defensive snap this season for the 49ers.
Nov 5, 2025
Still working through knee issue
Winters (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters was able to play through a knee injury against the Giants in Week 9, when he played every single defensive snap while recording five tackles (two solo). He'll have two more chances to log a full practice this week, but even if he remains limited he's likely to be available for Sunday's game against the Colts, barring a setback.
Nov 2, 2025
Playing Sunday
Winters (knee) is active for Sunday's contest against the Giants, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The starting linebacker suffered the injury in Week 8 against the Texans and logged a couple of limited practices ahead of Sunday's matchup. Now that he's suiting up, Winters can be expected to resume his normal role, as he's played on most of the defensive snaps for San Francisco this season. The third-year pro already has a career-high 54 tackles (40 solo) on the year.
Oct 31, 2025
Questionable for Week 9
Winters (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters ended the week with back-to-back limited practices to earn the questionable tag for Week 9, and his status for Sunday's game may not be officially known until the 49ers announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes before the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Winters is working through a knee injury he sustained against the Texans in Week 8, and if he can't play Sunday, then rookie third-rounder Nick Martin and Curtis Robinson would be the top candidates to start alongside Tatum Bethune and Luke Gifford at linebacker.
Oct 30, 2025
Back at practice Thursday
Winters (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters was labeled as day-to-day due to a knee injury he sustained against the Texans in Week 8. He's opened the week with a DNP-LP practice log, and his participation in Friday's session will determine whether he enters Sunday's game against the Giants with an injury designation. Winters tallied 11 tackles against Houston in Week 8, which was as many as he accumulated from Weeks 5 through 7.
Oct 29, 2025
Doesn't practice Wednesday
Winters (knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters was forced out of Sunday's game at Houston in the third quarter after injuring his knee, and now his status for Week 9 is in doubt. He'll probably have to get back to practice Thursday or Friday to have any chance to play Sunday against the Giants.
Oct 27, 2025
Labeled day-to-day
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Winters is considered day-to-day due to a knee injury he sustained during Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Texans, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters injured his knee early in the third quarter of Sunday's game. He was able to return briefly before being ruled out early in the fourth frame and finished with 11 tackles (seven solo) while playing 58 of 80 defensive snaps (72.5 percent). The good news for Winters is that the he has avoided a serious injury, though the third-year linebacker's practice participation over the coming week will be worth monitoring ahead of the 49ers' Week 9 clash against the Giants.
Oct 26, 2025
Won't return Week 8
Winters (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Texans.
ANALYSIS
Winters sustained a knee injury early in the third quarter, which has been deemed severe enough for him to not return to Sunday's contest. Nick Martin and Curtis Robinson are in line to see more defensive snaps at linebacker the rest of the way in Winters' absence.
Oct 21, 2025
Notches three stops in Week 7
Winters totaled three tackles (all solo) in Sunday's 20-10 win against Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Winters' tackle total was his lowest of the campaign, but he continued to play a prominent role on defense, logging 100 percent of San Francisco's defensive snaps for the sixth time through seven games. The third-year linebacker has tallied 43 tackles and three defensed passes on the season.
Oct 4, 2025
Tallies four tackles
Winters registered four tackles (three solo) during Thursday's 26-23 overtime win over the Rams.
ANALYSIS
Winters briefly left Thursday's game due to a shoulder injury, but he was quickly cleared to return and ended up playing every single defensive snap. His four tackles were a season low, but he's up to 36 total tackles through five regular-season games and is close to clearing his total from the 2024 campaign (44 total tackles across 15 regular-season games).
Oct 2, 2025
Returns to game
Winters is back in the game Thursday night after briefly leaving with a shoulder issue, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
The linebacker has two tackles (one solo) on the night. Winters played on nearly every defensive snap across the first four weeks, recording 32 tackles (24 solo) in those contests.
Oct 1, 2025
Cleared to play Thursday
Winters (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Thursday night's game against the Rams, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters played 100 percent of the defensive snaps last Sunday against the Jaguars but was limited in early-week practices before being cleared to play against Los Angeles. Winters has started all four games at linebacker for the Niners, logging 32 tackles (24 solo), including three TFLs, and two pass breakups on over 99 percent of the defensive snaps.
Sep 29, 2025
Estimated as limited
Winters was listed as a limited participant in Monday's estimated practice report due to a knee injury.
ANALYSIS
Winters played every single defensive snap during the 49ers' 26-21 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday and finished with 10 tackles (nine solo) and one pass defense. He's come out of that contest with a knee injury, which will be worth monitoring given the 49ers are playing on short rest against the Rams on Thursday.
Sep 23, 2025
Plays every defensive snap Week 3
Winters logged eight tackles (four solo) and a pass defense during the 49ers' 16-15 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Winters was one of four 49ers players to play every single defensive snap, and he finished second on the team in total tackles behind Fred Warner (11). Winters has logged eight tackles in back-to-back games, and his 22 tackles through three games is already half of what his total was across 15 regular-season games in 2024.
Jul 27, 2025
Competing for starting role in camp
Winters drew praise from a star teammate at the start of training camp as the linebacker prepares to compete for a starting role in 2025, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was vocal about Winter's offseason growth when speaking to reporters at the start of camp, stating that the 24-year-old appeared "ready to take that next step." Winters backed up that vote of confidence with an interception during team drills earlier this week. The 49ers spent a third-round pick on LB Nick Martin in an attempt to replace the void left by Dre Greenlaw's departure this past offseason, but the Oklahoma State product is currently nursing a thumb injury. Winters should get ample opportunity this preseason to prove that he is worthy of claiming the vacant role alongside Warner come Week 1.
Jan 8, 2025
Starts 10 games in second season
Winters finished the 2024 season with 44 tackles (26 solo) and four pass breakups across 15 games.
ANALYSIS
Taken in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Winters didn't make a single start as a rookie but played an elevated role on defense in 2024, starting 10 of the 15 games in which he appeared. Winters essentially played an every-down role over the final two weeks, perhaps giving the coaching staff a look at if he can fill that spot over the course of the season should the 49ers be unable to re-sign Dre Greenlaw in free agency.
Dec 26, 2024
Appears to be past chest injury
Winters (chest) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Winters picked up a chest issue in Sunday's loss to Miami, but his ability to practice in full Thursday suggests that he's not dealing with a major injury. The second-year linebacker didn't appear to be hampered at all against the Dolphins, as he recorded season-high marks with eight tackles and 49 defensive snaps. Winters will likely start opposite Fred Warner on Monday against Detroit with Dre Greenlaw (calf) ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Dec 23, 2024
Nursing chest injury
Winters (chest) is considered to be day-to-day with a chest injury heading into Week 17, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters appears to have picked up a chest injury in the team's loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, recording eight total tackles (six solo) and a pass defensed while playing 49 defensive snaps and 14 snaps on special teams in the contest. The linebacker's status at practice will be worth keeping an eye on ahead of Monday night's matchup with the Lions in Week 17.
Dec 18, 2024
Past neck issue
Winters (neck) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Winters tweaked his neck during the 49ers' 12-6 loss to the Rams this past Sunday. The issue wasn't severe enough to limit his practice participation Wednesday, and barring any setbacks, Winters should be able to play against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Dec 13, 2024
Dealing with neck injury
Winters is day-to-day due to a neck issue, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters appears to have hurt his neck in some manner during Thursday's Week 15 loss to the Rams. He logged six defensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps in the loss, finishing with one tackle. Winters' nine percent defensive snap share was his lowest of the campaign, though it's not clear if that was due to the neck issue or more related to Dre Greenlaw (Achilles/knee) making his season debut. Winters had originally been deemed questionable to return early in the first quarter Thursday but returned to the contest before the period ended.
Nov 6, 2024
Full participant in practice
Winters (concussion) was a full participant in San Francisco's practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters suffered a concussion during the team's Week 8 win over the Cowboys but has now cleared the league's concussion protocol. The 24-year-old should be good to go for Sunday's matchup versus the Buccaneers where he can contribute on both defense and special teams.
Oct 27, 2024
Done for night
Winters (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday night's contest with the Cowboys, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters suffered a concussion in the third quarter against Dallas, ultimately bringing his night to a premature close. The linebacker's impact is most prevalent on special teams, so his absence doesn't carry a substantial change on defense.
Sep 29, 2024
Will be suiting up
Winters (ankle) is active Sunday against the Patriots, Lindsey Pallares of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters missed the first two games of the season with the injury, returning in Week 3 only to aggravate the injury and exit early. However, he's healthy enough again to suit up and will be on the field Sunday against New England.
Sep 22, 2024
Aggravates injury
Winters (ankle) has exited Sunday's game against the Rams, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters has been dealing with an ankle issue since training camp, which is the likely cause of his exit Sunday. His exit will be a blow to the 49ers' depth at linebacker while he is unable to compete.
Sep 18, 2024
Past ankle issue
Winters (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
The second-year pro missed each of the 49ers' first two contests due to an ankle injury, but following Wednesday's full practice, it appears he's moved past the issue. Now that Winters has returned to full health, he's expected to serve as one of San Francisco's top rotational linebackers.
Sep 15, 2024
Not ready for return
Winters (ankle) is inactive Sunday against the Vikings.
ANALYSIS
Winters also missed the team's Week 1 win over the Jets as he continues to work on his recovery from an ankle injury suffered in the team's preseason finale. The second-year pro will now focus his efforts to return in Week 3 against the Rams.
Sep 7, 2024
Ruled out for Week 1
Winters (ankle) will not play Monday against the Jets, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters sustained an ankle injury in the 49ers' preseason finale against the Saints. He was a DNP for all three practices leading up to Week 1, and he'll turn his focus to try and play in Week 2 against the Vikings on Sept. 15.
Aug 25, 2024
Will undergo MRI
Winters will have an MRI this week to determine the severity of his ankle injury, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters appears to have picked up the injury during Friday's preseason game against the Raiders, when he recorded three tackles (two solo). Winters has been competing for a bigger role on the 49ers' defense after playing mostly on special teams in 2023.
Aug 18, 2024
Not playing Sunday
Winters (undisclosed) will not suit up for Sunday's preseason game against the Saints, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Winters has been dealing with an unspecified injury and will be held out of Sunday's bout. The 2023 sixth-round linebacker played mostly on special teams in his rookie year, finishing with 10 tackles (six solo) and one pass defended over 15 regular-season games.
Apr 29, 2023
Lands in San Fran
The 49ers selected Winters in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, 216th overall.
ANALYSIS
Winters is undersized at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, but he made his mark as a blitzer tallying 7.5 sacks his senior year with TCU. The 22-year-old also led the team in tackles in 2021, although given his lack of game-changing speed he's probably more of a special teams asset at the NFL level.
Apr 29, 2023
Lands in San Fran
The 49ers selected Winters in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, 216th overall.
ANALYSIS
Winters is undersized at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, but he made his mark as a blitzer tallying 7.5 sacks his senior year with TCU. The 22-year-old also led the team in tackles in 2021, although given his lack of game-changing speed he's probably more of a special teams asset at the NFL level.
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