Dre Greenlaw Appeals Suspension After Headbutt on Helmetless Rival

Caption: Dre Greenlaw with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. Credit: Alexander Jonesi / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is appealing a one-game NFL suspension after headbutting Seattle’s Ernest Jones IV during an October 11 sideline confrontation. Jones was not wearing a helmet when the contact occurred. If the suspension stands, Greenlaw would miss San Francisco’s October 19 game against Washington.

The sideline sequence that led to the ejection

The confrontation followed a late hit on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold after he went out of bounds. Seattle defenders confronted Greenlaw near their sideline, and Greenlaw headbutted Jones, who was without his helmet. Game officials ejected Greenlaw.

San Francisco went on to win 32-29, but the incident carried a consequence beyond the game. On Monday, October 12, the NFL announced a one-game suspension, saying the contact violated the league’s sportsmanship expectations.

The suspension is under appeal

Greenlaw appealed the penalty, with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, October 13. The appeal outcome was not established in the sources available for this version, so the suspension remains described as imposed but subject to review.

Greenlaw has faced discipline previously, including a one-game suspension during his 2025 stint with Denver and other ejections reported by the Associated Press. For San Francisco, the immediate question is whether the appeal changes his eligibility for the Washington game.

References: NFL suspends 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw 1 game for head butt | NFL suspends 49ers’ Dre Greenlaw one game for headbutting Seahawks player