49ers return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud III placed on IR; Dre Greenlaw fined

Dec 9, 2023, 2:38 PM

Nick Bellore #44 of the Seattle Seahawks tackles Ray-Ray McCloud III #3 of the San Francisco 49ers ...

Jane Gershovich/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a plethora of injuries across the roster, this time affecting on of their special-teams aces in Ray-Ray McCloud III.

The 49ers announced Saturday that they have placed the speedy wideout/punt returner on the injury reserve. McCloud will miss the team’s next four contests, eligible to return Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Florida native has been dealing with a rib injury for the last few weeks, gutting through the Thanksgiving game against the Seattle Seahawks. Clearly not 100%, the 49ers opted to rest him for their Week 13 trip to Philadelphia, hoping one game off could do the trick. That is not the case however, suffering an apparent setback after practicing in limited fashion Wednesday.

The 49ers put Ray-Ray McCloud on IR. He had a setback with his rib injury (returned to practice Wednesday but did not practice after that).

Vet WR Chris Conley has moved up from the practice squad to take McCloud's spot on the 53

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 9, 2023

“No, he came out. I think he was limited on Wednesday, but didn’t feel great. So we’ve got to be safe with him. Had a number of ribs,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said about McCloud’s injury.

Rookie WR Ronnie Bell will handle punt returns for the time being, as San Francisco looks to have their veteran return man healthy for the postseason.

Additionally, WR Chris Conley has been promoted to the 53-man roster as McCloud’s replacement.

Greenlaw fined for Eagles’ Smith late hit

Aside from injury news, the NFL also issued a number of fines Saturday, including one to Dre Greenlaw.

The San Francisco 49ers’ linebacker has been fined $10,927 for body-slamming Eagles’ WR DeVonta Smith in the third quarter of Week 13. The tackle was deemed unnecessary at the time, drawing a 15-yard penalty. The late hit sparked the infamous sideline scrum with Eagles’ members, including head of security Dom DiSandro. Both Greenlaw and DiSandro were ejected from the contest as a result.

The NFL fined #49ers LB Dre Greenlaw $10,927 for body-slamming #Eagles WR DeVonta Smith, setting off last week’s sideline fracas.

Greenlaw was ejected along with Philly’s head of security, Dom DiSandro, who is barred from the sideline Sunday while the league’s review continues. pic.twitter.com/2TAIwRREL1

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 9, 2023

In light of the incident, the NFL has barred DiSandro from being on the sideline for Philadelphia’s road game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday. He is still allowed to travel with the team, but cannot be near the field for Week 14.

The league office is still reviewing additional material to determine further action.

Both Greenlaw and DiSandro have exchanged apologies to one another after the fact, via intermediaries. The former told Bay Area media that he didn’t think an ejection was warranted last Sunday, costing the 49ers one of their starting LBs the rest of the game.

Dre Greenlaw said he hasn't heard anything from the league–he did exchange apologies with Dom DiSandro (via messages being relayed; they didn't actually speak).

Greenlaw said he didn't think he deserved to be ejected. pic.twitter.com/RNfb0g4Srz

— Kate Rooney (@TheKateRooney) December 6, 2023