Impact of 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw’s Potential Suspension

The NFL announced Monday that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended without pay for one game following his second quarter ejection during Sunday’s 32-29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Unless a Tuesday appeal hearing successfully overturns or reduces the discipline, Greenlaw will miss San Francisco's Week 6 clash against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.

The disciplinary action stems from a volatile sequence midway through the second quarter at Lumen Field. After Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled toward the sideline, Greenlaw delivered a late hit out of bounds that drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty. Some would argue it was a clean hit. 

Isolated on the Seahawks' sideline, Greenlaw was immediately swarmed by opposing players. During the ensuing confrontation, Greenlaw thrust his helmet directly into the face of Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who was not wearing a helmet.

Following an automatic booth review via the league's Gameday Central in New York, officials disqualified Greenlaw for non-football, unsportsmanlike conduct.

"During the second quarter, Greenlaw used his helmet to headbutt Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who was not wearing a helmet, violating Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to 'any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,'" the NFL stated in an official release.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan voiced disappointment with the league's decision during his Monday press availability while confirming that Greenlaw's team would formally fight the ruling.

"I was disappointed they decided to do that, but it is what it is," Shanahan said. "I just found out a little bit ago, or when you guys did...Hopefully the appeal process can go better tomorrow, and we can get it rescinded, but I've got to wait to see how that goes."

All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner noted the sheer difficulty of the situation Greenlaw found himself in on the opposing sideline, though he acknowledged the team must show better composure:

"He's helpless in that situation. He's all by himself on their sideline," Warner said. "Of course, they're trying to gang up on him and good on them for baiting him into doing something. But we know we got to be smart in all those situations... It's just an unfortunate situation."

Under the NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, the appeal will be processed on Tuesday by one of four jointly appointed hearing officers: Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera, or James Thrash.

Sunday marked the third ejection of Greenlaw's seven year career. He was previously disqualified in 2022 for a hit to the head of Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and again in 2023 following a sideline squabble with Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro. This also represents his second suspension in two years, having served a one-game ban during his 2025 stint with Denver for an interaction with referee Brad Allen. Just last week, Greenlaw was fined $11,941 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

If the suspension holds, rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger is expected to fill the void alongside Warner. Dugger shifted to Greenlaw's weakside spot following the ejection on Sunday, turning in a stellar performance with nine tackles, a sack, and two total pressures.

"Losing a great player and just emotionally our team feels him, for our guys not to waver at all, Dugger did a great job stepping it up," Shanahan added. "It was huge."