Sheffield Wednesday manager Henrik Pedersen says he is “so sad” after teenage defender Ernie Weaver suffered a serious foot injury that requires surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The 19-year-old, fast-tracked into the first team this season and already on Premier League radars after 9 senior appearances, will miss a significant period in a fresh setback for the Owls’ threadbare squad.
What Happened and Why It Matters
Weaver’s emergence has been a rare positive for Wednesday amid a turbulent few months. The former under-18s captain stepped up in August, broke into the Championship XI and collected a club Player of the Month award in September.
“I feel so sad for him but he knows we are there to support him through this.
“We are here for him and we have to bring him back into the starting XI for Sheffield Wednesday.”
Henrik Pedersen has confirmed that Ernie Weaver will spend an extended period on the sidelines
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) October 16, 2025
Pedersen revealed the centre-back has been playing through pain, with specialists now opting for surgery that rules him out long-term. His message was mixed pride with disappointment as he underlined the defender’s mentality.
“I’m so sad for him. Now this young man has grown since the summer is fantastic.
“But how he has played with this pain in his foot, where most other players could never play with those pains he has had; his mentality is fantastic. His character is fantastic.
“And how he has played, when we think where he’s coming from, is fantastic.
“He still has so much to learn. But what he has done the last three months, his development, is a big, big experience for all young guys in England.
“He’s shown how you can grow from more or less nothing.”
For a squad already stretched, losing a starting defender who brings pace, aggression and composure in build-up is a substantial blow.
It forces Wednesday back to the market of internal solutions, with game time likely to fall to fellow academy graduates and senior players covering out of position.
Charlton (a) 🔜
📸 Latest gallery from Middlewood Road as we prepare for Saturday’s trip to the capital
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) October 15, 2025
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
Pedersen must now reconfigure his back line ahead of Saturday’s trip to Charlton Athletic. Weaver’s absence removes a left-sided balance that has helped Wednesday spring counters and defend the box.
There was further bad news in midfield. Talented youngster Rio Shipston faces around 6 weeks out after a muscle problem sustained during an intense training block.
“He got a muscle injury. It was last week, we had three very intensive days and it happened in an 11v11 on Wednesday.”
Combined, the injuries compress Pedersen’s options in two key areas. Expect tactical pragmatism: full-backs tucked in to form a narrow back four, a screening midfielder dropping between centre-halves, and an emphasis on first contacts and second balls.
The human element is just as significant. Weaver’s rapid rise offered a clear pathway from academy to first team, a motivating example for Wednesday’s next wave. Pedersen’s public commitment to the defender’s rehabilitation underlines the club’s duty of care and the intention to retain the youngster at the heart of plans once fit.
Short term, Wednesday must stabilise results during a difficult run while protecting other young players’ workloads. Medium term, the aim is to keep Weaver engaged through recovery, maintain his tactical education off the pitch and prepare a phased return that safeguards the progress made in the last 3 months.
For now the headline is harsh but simple: a breakout season paused. Pedersen’s message is equally clear. The door remains open for Weaver’s return, the manager is “so sad,” and the squad will rally around a teenager who had become a bright spot in an unforgiving campaign.
