Dre Greenlaw lowered his helmeted head and headbutted Ernest Jones, sending the Seattle Seahawks linebacker looking for a towel to wipe away the blood on Sunday. And less than 24 hours later, the NFL dropped the proverbial hammer on Greenlaw.
Greenlaw, a San Francisco 49ers linebacker, has been suspended for one game, the NFL announced Monday.
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The suspension is without pay.
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Greenlaw was penalized for unsportmanlike conduct when he hit Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold as he was going out of bounds along his team’s sideline during Sunday’s game.
Things got uglier when Greenlaw was surrounded by Seahawks players, Jones stepped up to him despite not wearing his helmet, and then Greenlaw headbutted Jones.
Greenlaw will be eligible to return to the 49ers active roster on Oct. 20, following his team’s Oct. 19 game against the Washington Commanders.
Jan 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) celebrates his interception during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. (Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)
Greenlaw may appeal the suspension under the collective bargaining agreement but there is not yet any indication if he will do that. If he goes that route, the appeal would be heard by a hearing officer – either Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera or James Thrash.
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All the hearing officers are former NFL players.
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OutKick reported on Sunday that a fine or suspension or both was in the cards for Greenlaw
Greenlaw has a history of becoming emotional. And getting fined. And even suspended.
Dre Greenlaw of the San Francisco 49ers exchanges words with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and Dom DiSandro at Lincoln Financial Field on Dec. 3, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pa. Greenlaw and DiSandro were disqualified after the altercation. (Getty Images)
- Following a 33-32 victory over the New York Giants in Week 7 of the 2025 season while playing for the Denver Broncos, Greenlaw chased and verbally threatened referee Brad Allen as the officiating crew was leaving the field.
- The league suspended Greenlaw, determining his aggressive post-game behavior violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(b), which strictly prohibits the use of abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures toward game officials.
- Last week, Greenlaw was fined $11,941 for unsportsmanlike conduct after taunting the Broncos’ sideline and head coach Sean Payton.
In 2023, Greenlaw was ejected following a sideline altercation with Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro during another incident along the opponent’s sideline.
Dre Greenlaw #57 of the Denver Broncos stretches on the field prior to an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
The 49ers have had their share of suspensions this season with owner Jed York currently serving a league suspension for violating the personal conduct policy after he was arrested in a prostitution sting in Ohio.
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That history, when considered together, paints Greenlaw as something of a hothead.
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