Dre Greenlaw’s One-Game Suspension After On-Field Incident

Dre Greenlaw, a San Francisco 49ers linebacker, faced a one-game suspension by the NFL following an incident during a game against the Seattle Seahawks. On Sunday, Greenlaw lowered his helmet and headbutted Ernest Jones, leading to Seattle Seahawks linebacker needing a towel to clean his bloodied face.

The NFL announced the suspension less than 24 hours after the event. This suspension, without pay, also followed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for Greenlaw when he hit Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold as Darnold was heading out of bounds along the team’s sideline.

The situation escalated when Greenlaw, surrounded by Seahawks players, confronted Jones without a helmet and proceeded to headbutt him. Greenlaw will be eligible to return to the 49ers’ active roster on October 20, after the game against the Washington Commanders on October 19.

While Greenlaw has the option to appeal the suspension under the collective bargaining agreement, it is unclear if he will pursue this route. Appeals are heard by former NFL players like Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera, or James Thrash.

Greenlaw has a track record of emotional incidents in the NFL. In a similar incident, he was fined $11,941 last week for unsportsmanlike conduct after taunting the Broncos’ sideline and head coach Sean Payton. In another episode in 2023, he was ejected after a sideline altercation with Philadelphia Eagles’ head of security Dom DiSandro.

In an earlier incident during the 2025 season, Greenlaw, then playing for the Denver Broncos, verbally threatened referee Brad Allen post-game. The league suspended him, citing a violation of rules against abusive or threatening behavior towards officials.

The 49ers are not new to suspensions this season. Team owner Jed York is currently suspended for violating the personal conduct policy after an arrest in a prostitution sting.