San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended for one game after his ejection in Sunday’s 32-29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, with the league ruling that he committed an unsportsmanlike act during a second-quarter sideline confrontation.
Headbutt leads to ejection and suspension
Greenlaw was thrown out of the game after headbutting Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who did not have his helmet on at the time and was left bleeding. The incident followed a late hit by Greenlaw on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold after Darnold had scrambled out of bounds.
- The late contact on Darnold drew a personal-foul penalty.
- Seattle defenders quickly surrounded Greenlaw near the sideline.
- Greenlaw then struck Jones with his helmet, prompting his first-half ejection.
- The league issued a one-game ban Monday for the incident.
The league said Greenlaw violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which covers conduct that runs against accepted standards of sportsmanship. Its disciplinary notice specifically cited Greenlaw’s use of his helmet against Jones while Jones was unhelmeted.
Greenlaw plans to challenge penalty
Greenlaw is appealing the suspension. If the one-game penalty stands, he will be eligible to rejoin San Francisco’s active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 20, after the 49ers complete their Week 6 Monday night game against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 19.
The 29-year-old has already faced league discipline this season. He was fined $11,941 for taunting the Denver Broncos’ sideline during last week’s win.
Previous disciplinary history
This is not Greenlaw’s first suspension or ejection during his NFL career. The eighth-year linebacker was suspended for one game last season while with Denver after confronting and berating an official following a victory over the New York Giants.
- In 2023, Greenlaw was involved in a sideline dispute with Philadelphia head of security Dom DiSandro.
- In 2022, he was disqualified for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
- He returned to the 49ers this season after playing for the Broncos in 2025.
Greenlaw has recorded 37 tackles across five games for San Francisco this season.
