Locals in the NFL: Fred Warner's pick 6 vs. Patriots continues 'big-time' start to 2024

AROUND THE SHIELD — Fred Warner's role in San Francisco's Week 4 contest against the New England Patriots had a little bit of Charles Dickens, in that it was both the best and worst of moments.

First, the good.

The 27-year-old All-Pro linebacker out of BYU showed out as he had his second career pick six in the second quarter of the Niners' 30-13 win over the Patriots. Warner high-pointed a pass from Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett intended for Tyquan Thornton, fell from unconscionable heights in the middle of the park, and dusted himself off for 45 yards before diving into the end zone.

But Warner later said he thought about getting to the end zone "as soon as I got up."

"You don't get into the end zone unless you have your teammates having your back in that situation," Warner said. "I'm glad we got that one."

The defensive score stretched San Francisco's lead to 13-0 with 14:01 left in the half, and marked the Patriots' first interception of the year.

"That was awesome. I thought the defense was awesome all day," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game. "But any time you score, even better."

In his seventh season in the league, the former third-round draft pick and three-time Pro Bowler seems to be getting better with age, Shanahan added — if that's even possible.

"It's kind of hard to say that; he's been so good every year," the coach said. "But the way he started out this year, it's been a big-time year for him so far."

It wasn't all good for Warner and the Niners (2-2), though.

The San Diego product later injured his ankle and was one of four key players ruled out for the second half, including tight end George Kittle (ribs) and defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (knee).

Shanahan said Warner attempted to warm up after halftime but "didn't feel he could go."

"I would've been out there if I could've been," Warner said. "We'll see as I get more information on it.

"It'll take a lot for me to tap out," he added. "We'll get more information with scans and stuff. But I feel good right now."

Here's a look at other former Utah high school and college football standouts who stood out on Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season.

Monday Night Football

Tennessee 31, Miami 12

Titans (1-3)

• No locals on the active roster

Dolphins (1-3)

• Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah: Starting quarterback completed 14-of-22 passes for 96 yards with two sacks taken, and ran for 40 yards and a touchdown on offense

Detroit 42, Seattle 29

Lions (3-1)

• Sione Vaki, RB, Utah: Reserve running back played 19 snaps on special teams
• Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills (via Oregon): Starting right tackle played all 53 snaps on offense, six on special teams
• Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Reserve wide receiver caught two passes for 52 yards in 21 snaps on offense

Seahawks (3-0)

• Satoa Laumea, OG, Utah: Inactive for Week 4

Sunday Night Football

Baltimore 35, Buffalo 10

Ravens (2-2)

• Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker had two sacks, three quarterback hits and a forced fumble in his third straight game with multiple sacks on defense
• Marcus Williams, S, Utah: Starting safety finished with two tackles

Bills (3-1)

• Cole Bishop, S, Utah: Reserve safety made six tackles
• Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Starting tight end caught team-high five passes for 47 yards on offense
• Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Inactive for Week 4 (forearm)

Sunday afternoon

Atlanta 26, New Orleans 24

Falcons (2-2)

• Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran for team-high 60 yards on eight carries (7.5 ypc)
• Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Reserve cornerback made three tackles on defense
• Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): Starting linebacker had six tackles, a quarterback hit on defense

Saints (2-2)

• Taysom Hill, TE, BYU: Starting tight end ran for 24 yards on six carries, including two touchdowns, before exiting game with reported abdominal injury
• Dallin Holker, TE, Lehi (via BYU/Colorado State): Inactive for Week 4
• Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU: Reserve running back ran three times for 11 yards, caught two passes for 8 yards on offense; returned two kickoffs for 58 yards
• Rashid Shaheed, WR/RS, Weber State: Starting wide receiver caught eight passes for 83 yards, ran twice for 14 yards on offense; returned two punts for 17 yards with a fair catch, three kickoffs for 75 yards on special teams

Cincinnati 34, Carolina 24

Bengals (1-3)

• Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU: Averaged 56,7 yards on three punts for 170 yards, with two punts downed inside the 20
• Zack Moss, RB, Utah: Starting running back ran 15 times for 51 yards, caught four passes for 27 yards with a touchdown
• Tanner McLachlan, TE, Southern Utah (via Arizona): Inactive for Week 4
• Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham (via USC): Starting defensive tackle made two tackles

Panthers (1-3)

• Brady Christensen, OG, BYU/Bountiful: Reserve guard also played on special teams

Chicago 24, Los Angeles 18

Bears (2-2)

• Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah: Starting cornerback had five tackles and a tackle for loss
• Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray: Started at left tackle
• Noah Sewell, LB, Orem (via Oregon): Reserve linebacker also played on special teams

Rams (1-3)

• No locals on the active roster

Minnesota 31, Green Bay 29

Vikings (4-0)

• Taki Taimani, DL, East (via Oregon): Defensive lineman also played on special teams

Packers (2-2)

• Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Starting quarterback completed 32-of-54 passes for 389 yards with four touchdowns, three interceptions and a sack taken
• Zayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury: Reserve safety made one tackle on special teams

Houston 24, Jacksonville 20

Texans (3-1)

• Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham (via Stanford): Starting tight end caught three passes for 34 yards

Jaguars (0-4)

• Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Inactive for Week 4

Indianapolis 27, Pittsburgh 24

Colts (2-2)

• Blake Freeland, OT, BYU/Herriman: Active, but did not play
• Julian Blackmon, S, Utah/Layton: Starting safety had six tackles, a sack, and recovered a fumble on defense
• Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem: Made field goals of 33 and 35 yards with three extra points)

Steelers (3-1)

• Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East (via Oklahoma State): Inactive for Week 4
• Miles Killebrew, S, Southern Utah: Reserve safety also played on special teams

Denver 10, New York 9

Broncos (2-2)

• Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon: Inactive for Week 4
• Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton: Starting linebacker had a team-high 10 tackles on defense
• Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake: Started at left tackle on offense
• Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah: Reserve linebacker made two tackles, a sack and a quarterback hurry on defense
• Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah: Inactive for Week 4

Jets (2-2)

• No locals on the active roster

Tampa Bay 33, Philadelphia 16

Buccaneers (3-1)

• No locals on the active roster

Eagles (2-2)

• Britain Covey, WR/RS, Utah/Timpview: Placed on injured reserve (shoulder)

Washington 42, Arizona 14

Commanders (3-1)

• Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Reserve cornerback made one tackle on special teams
• Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker totaled a team-high 11 tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit on defense

Cardinals (1-3)

• Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger: Inactive for Week 4

San Francisco 30, New England 13

49ers (2-2)

• Fred Warner, LB, BYU: Starting linebacker had seven tackles and a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown on defense
• Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah: Averaged 44.3 yards on three punts (133 yards) with a long of 47

Kansas City 17, Los Angeles 10

Chiefs (4-0)

• Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU/Orem: Reserve tackle also played on special teams

Chargers (2-2)

• Simi Fehoko, WR, Brighton (via Stanford): Reserve wide receiver also made one tackle on special teams
• Alohi Gilman, S, Orem (via Notre Dame): Starting safety made three tackles on defense

Las Vegas 20, Cleveland 16

Raiders (2-2)

• Andre James, C, Herriman (via UCLA): Started at center on offense
• Jackson Powers-Johnson, OG, Corner Canyon (via Oregon): Started at left guard on offense

Browns (1-3)

• Winston Reid, LB, Weber State/Copper Hills: Reserve linebacker made one tackle on special teams

Patriots (1-3)

• No locals on the active roster

Thursday Night Football

Dallas 20, New York 15

Cowboys (2-2)

• Nick Vigil, LB, Utah State/Fremont: Did not play after practice squad elevation expired (not subject to waivers; vested veteran)

Giants (1-3)

• No locals on the active roster

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