San Francisco 49ers Lose Two Key Pieces vs. Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders will look to move past a deflating week five tie against the New York Giants when they face the San Francisco 49ers in the team's first appearance on Monday Night Football during the 2026 season. Yet they will face a 49ers team expected to be without a handful of key players.

The Commanders will not face one notable 49ers defender after linebacker Dre Greenlaw was suspended without pay for the week six matchup. Greenlaw's suspension was then upheld on Tuesday after attempting to appeal his punishment following Monday's news.

Greenlaw was disciplined after headbutting Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones on the sideline following a late hit on quarterback Sam Darnold midway through the second quarter. The call to eject Greenlaw came from New York in addition to Greenlaw drawing a flag on the play.

Greenlaw ranks second on the team with 37 total tackles through five games, in addition to recording a forced fumble in the week four win against the Denver Broncos.

He's one of two notable absences with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who led the Commanders in receiving yards during his lone season with the organization in 2025, also expected to miss the matchup due to a hamstring injury suffered in the week five win. Whether defensive end Nick Bosa returns is a question mark heading into the rest of the week after head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism on his status against the Commanders.

As for Washington, who returns from injury remains a question heading into the rest of the week. Head coach Dan Quinn pointed to Thursday's practice as when the team expects to get a better picture regarding availability in week six with questions around cornerback Trey Amos, wide receiver Stefon Diggs and safety Nick Cross heading into the rest of the week. Quinn also noted that defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste suffered a pectoral injury with his status unclear for the rest of the week. Jean-Baptiste was also limited to just three games in 2025 for the same injury, adding concern for the former seventh round pick in his third season with the organization.

Cross has been sidelined since week two with an internal injury, while Diggs did not practice last week after battling a hamstring injury coming out of the week four loss. Amos, meanwhile, saw his 21-day practice window open last week after opening the regular season on injured reserve.

The upcoming meeting against the Niners marks the first of two games currently slated for Monday Night Football with the Cincinnati Bengals headed to Northwest Stadium in week 11. This also marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2023 while Washington looks for its first win since securing the 23-15 finish in San Francisco in 2020.

With Washington looking to avoid a 1-4-1 record with the bye week looming, kickoff in week six is set for 8:15 PM on ESPN.