49ers LB Dre Greenlaw suspended, plans to appeal

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended one game for head-butting Ernest Jones IV, but he plans to appeal the ruling.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Oct 12, 2026, 12:07 PM Updated: 1:30 pm

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 11: Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field afte...

Dre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field after being penalized and ejected from the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 11, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Part of what makes Dre Greenlaw great is his fiery nature, aggressive mindset, and play style.

Sometimes that comes with frustrating moments. Week 5 in Seattle featured a prime example, as Greenlaw was flagged for a late hit on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was headed out of bounds.

Momentum carried Greenlaw to Seattle’s sideline, where he found himself surrounded by a large group of opposing players, presumably instigating him for the hit he’d just put on Darnold.

Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV got in his face, and Greenlaw head-butted the helmet-less player, earning an immediate ejection.

Here is the play that resulted in 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw being suspended for next Monday night’s game vs. the Commanders (📺 @NFLonFOX): https://t.co/7gnQYbBixb

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 12, 2026

Per ESPN and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the league has suspended Greenlaw for one game without pay. The following was from the NFL regarding the decision:

49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended without pay for one game for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

During the second quarter, Greenlaw used his helmet to headbutt Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who was not wearing a helmet, violating Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”

Greenlaw will be eligible to return to the 49ers’ active roster on Tuesday, October 20, following the team’s October 19 game against the Washington Commanders.

Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Greenlaw may appeal the suspension. Any appeal will be heard and decided upon by either Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera, or James Thrash, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline.

He also reported that Greenlaw plans to appeal the league’s ruling.

Fred Warner, Greenlaw’s close friend and linebacker partner, spoke about the incident after the game.

“I was too far away. He’s helpless in that situation. He’s all by himself on their sideline,” Warner said. “We know we have to be smart in all those situations, and I thought Dre tried, but it’s just an unfortunate situation.”

San Francisco’s defense stayed impactful and played a big part in the win without him, but his absence would be sorely missed.

“I thought the D was unbelievable today,” Shanahan said postgame. “To get us those four turnovers — that was the difference between winning and losing today.”

Time will tell what the NFL makes of Greenlaw’s attempted appeal.