NFL suspends 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw one game for headbutting Ernest Jones IV
In short
The NFL suspended San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw for one game on Monday after he headbutted Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV during Sunday's game. Jones was not wearing a helmet, and Greenlaw was ejected from the game, which San Francisco won 32-29.
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The NFL suspended San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw for one game on Monday after he headbutted Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV during Sunday's game. Jones was not wearing a helmet. The league said the action was contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. San Francisco won the game 32-29. [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]
Greenlaw would miss San Francisco's next Monday night game against the Washington Commanders under the punishment. He can appeal the decision. The Seattle Times reported that he planned to appeal, citing NFL Network. Newsweek reported that the suspension was without pay. [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]
The confrontation began in the second quarter when Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled and Greenlaw hit him late after he went out of bounds along the Seahawks sideline. Greenlaw was flagged for a personal foul. Several Seattle defenders confronted him, and he responded by headbutting Jones. Jones was bleeding after the contact, and Greenlaw was ejected. [ 1 , 8 ]
The Associated Press reported that the ejection decision came from the officiating center in New York. League vice president of instant replay Mark Butterworth said in a pool report that executive Troy Vincent made the final call. After the game, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Greenlaw needed to be smarter in that situation and could not headbutt a player without a helmet. [ 1 ]
Greenlaw had previously been ejected following a sideline altercation with Philadelphia's head of security Dom DiSandro in 2023 and for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in 2022. The Guardian reported that he also served a one-game suspension last season while playing in Denver for berating an official after a win over the New York Giants. He returned to San Francisco this season after playing for the Broncos in 2025. [ 1 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The suspension would keep Greenlaw out of San Francisco's next Monday night game against the Washington Commanders. He can appeal the punishment, and The Seattle Times reported that NFL Network said he planned to do so.
Key facts
- The NFL suspended Greenlaw for one game on Monday. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Greenlaw headbutted Jones, who was not wearing a helmet. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]
- The incident followed Greenlaw's late hit on Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold along the Seahawks sideline. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 8 ]
- Greenlaw was ejected during San Francisco's 32-29 win. [ 1 , 4 , 8 ]
- The suspension would rule Greenlaw out of the next Monday night game against Washington, though he can appeal. [ 7 , 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Greenlaw received a one-game suspension for the headbutt. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Jones was not wearing a helmet when Greenlaw headbutted him. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]
- Greenlaw was ejected after a confrontation following his late hit on Darnold. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 8 ]
- San Francisco beat Seattle 32-29. [ 1 , 4 , 8 ]
- Greenlaw can appeal the suspension. [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- Whether an appeal will change the suspension. The reports say Greenlaw can appeal, and The Seattle Times cites NFL Network as saying he intends to do so; no appeal decision is provided.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- The Associated Press reported Greenlaw's ejection after he headbutted Jones during the game. [ 1 ]
- The Seattle Times reported the one-game suspension and said Greenlaw planned to appeal, citing NFL Network. [ 4 ]
- The Guardian reported that the suspension would keep Greenlaw out of the next Monday night game against Washington. [ 8 ]