49ers' Dre Greenlaw suspended one game for head-butting helmetless Seahawks LB
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended for one game without pay as discipline for unsportsmanlike conduct in Sunday's win against the Seattle Seahawks.
With 6:30 left in the first half of that game, Greenlaw hit Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold late and out of bounds, then was involved in a skirmish with Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV in which he head-butted Jones, who was not wearing a helmet.
According to a statement from the league, Greenlaw violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 of the league's rules which applies to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship."
Barring a successful appeal, Greenlaw will have to miss the Oct. 19 game against the Washington Commanders and would be eligible to return to the active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Greenlaw is appealing the suspension, sources told ESPN.
Under the guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement, Greenlaw is able to submit an appeal. According to the NFL, Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera or James Thrash would be the hearings officer for any appeal Greenlaw may file.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said after Sunday's 32-29 win in Seattle that he hadn't yet spoken to Greenlaw about the incident but indicated that conversation would happen Monday.
"We just celebrated there," Shanahan said. "We'll clean that stuff up. He knows he's got to be smarter."
On the play that led to the suspension, Greenlaw chased Darnold as he scrambled toward Seattle's sideline. After picking up 5 yards, Darnold stepped on to the white paint and then took a hit from Greenlaw as they headed toward Seattle's bench.
A number of Seahawks immediately surrounded Greenlaw as he and Jones exchanged words. Greenlaw, who was still wearing his halment, then leaned in and contacted Jones' face.
Niners linebacker Fred Warner saw it happening from across the field but couldn't get to the sideline in time to extract Greenlaw from the fray.
"I tried to get there as fast as I could," Warner said. "I was too far away. He's helpless in that situation. He's all by himself on their sideline. 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."
Rookie Jaden Dugger moved from strongside linebacker to Greenlaw's spot on the weakside. Dugger finished with nine tackles and a sack.
"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 said. "It was huge."
For Greenlaw, this is his second one-game suspension in as many years. As a member of the Denver Broncos last season, Greenlaw received a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct when he ran toward referee Brad Allen during a game and, according to the ruling, "verbally threatened him."
Sunday's ejection was the third of Greenlaw's career. He previously was disqualified for a late hit on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in 2022 and for a similar sideline dustup in a 2023 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last week, Greenlaw received an $11,941 fine from the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct after he repeatedly yelled at Denver's sideline and coach Sean Payton throughout that game.br/]
