The NFL suspended San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw for one game without pay on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. The league announced the discipline following an incident in which Greenlaw headbutted Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV during a game on Sunday, Oct. 11. Greenlaw is appealing the ruling.
The confrontation occurred during the second quarter of the 49ers' 32-29 victory over Seattle at Lumen Field. According to league officials, the sequence began when Greenlaw received a personal foul for a late hit on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who had scrambled out of bounds on the Seattle sideline. During the ensuing confrontation with Seattle defenders, Greenlaw used his helmet to headbutt Jones IV, who was not wearing a helmet at the time and was bleeding after the contact.
Greenlaw was ejected from the game immediately following the incident, missing the final two quarters. The NFL’s official statement noted that Greenlaw violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which prohibits acts "contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." The appeal of the suspension will be heard by one of four appointed officers: Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera, or James Thrash.
The suspension affects the San Francisco 49ers' defensive lineup for their upcoming Week 6 game against the Washington Commanders, scheduled for Monday Night Football on Oct. 19. If the suspension stands, Greenlaw will forfeit his game check for that week and will not be eligible to rejoin the active roster until Tuesday, Oct. 20. Greenlaw has recorded 37 tackles through the first five games of the 2026 season.
Greenlaw previously served a one-game suspension in 2025 while playing for the Denver Broncos following an altercation with an official. His record also includes ejections for a 2023 sideline incident with Philadelphia security official Dom DiSandro and a 2022 helmet-to-helmet hit on Justin Herbert, as well as an $11,941 fine for taunting last week.
The outcome of the appeal will determine if the 49ers must face Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels without Greenlaw. Commentators from 95.7 The Game argued that the ejection was sufficient punishment and noted that Seattle players were not disciplined for leaving the bench. A final decision on Greenlaw's appeal is expected before the team's Monday night kickoff.