San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw will serve a one-game suspension after his appeal was rejected Tuesday night, sideline discipline that sidelines him for an upcoming prime-time contest.
Hearing officer James Thrash, who was appointed jointly by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, affirmed the penalty following a Tuesday hearing, the Associated Press reported. The league initially issued the unpaid ban on Monday after Greenlaw struck Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV with his helmet during Sunday’s game in Seattle.
Because the ruling stands, Greenlaw will sit out San Francisco’s Week 6 game against the Washington Commanders on Monday night. The veteran defender will forfeit nearly $200,000 in weekly salary and will be eligible to rejoin the active roster on Oct. 20, according to HEAVY and the AP.
Sideline Altercation at Lumen Field
The confrontation unfolded with 6:23 remaining in the second quarter of San Francisco’s 32-29 victory at Lumen Field, HEAVY reported. After Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled out of bounds along the Seattle bench, Greenlaw delivered a late hit that drew a personal foul flag from officials.
Members of the Seahawks roster immediately confronted Greenlaw on their sideline. During the ensuing confrontation, Jones stood face-to-face with Greenlaw without wearing a helmet. Greenlaw leaned forward and drove his helmet into Jones’ face, leaving Jones bleeding, according to the AP. Game officials ejected Greenlaw immediately following the exchange.
The league announced the suspension under Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, citing actions deemed “contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.” In a team account published on Seahawks.com, Seattle credited Jones with maintaining composure and avoiding retaliation, which prevented additional penalties against his team.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said during a Monday media call that he was “disappointed” when the league announced the disciplinary action, Niners Wire reported.
History of Disciplinary Actions
This decision marks the second consecutive season in which Greenlaw has drawn a one-game league suspension. During the 2025 campaign with the Denver Broncos, Greenlaw received a one-game ban after confronting referee Brad Allen following a contest against the New York Giants, according to reporting from the New York Post and the AP.
Greenlaw’s career also includes multiple previous ejections and league sanctions:
- In 2022, officials disqualified him from a game against the Los Angeles Chargers for delivering a helmet-to-helmet hit on quarterback Justin Herbert.
- In 2023, he was ejected following a sideline altercation involving Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro.
- Earlier this season, the league fined Greenlaw $11,941 for taunting the Denver bench in Week 4.
Next Steps for San Francisco
Greenlaw returned to the 49ers this year following his one-season stint in Denver. Through the first five games of the schedule, he has recorded 37 tackles, ranking second on the San Francisco defense, HEAVY reported.
Rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger stepped in after Greenlaw’s ejection on Sunday and is expected to start in his place against Washington on Monday night, according to the New York Post and Niners Wire. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are preparing on a short turnaround to visit the Broncos on Thursday night before returning home to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7.
