NFL suspends Dre Greenlaw one game for head-butting Ernest Jones
The league docked the 49ers linebacker without pay for Week 6 against Washington after Sunday's ejection in Seattle. Greenlaw is appealing the suspension, per Ian Rapoport.
By RSO NFL Desk / 2 sources / Published October 12, 2026 / Updated October 17, 2026
The NFL suspended San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw one game without pay on Monday for unsportsmanlike conduct in Sunday's win at Seattle. Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero each carried the league's ruling, and NFL.com posted the full release.
What is confirmed
Greenlaw was ejected in the second quarter of San Francisco's 32-29 win after he used his helmet to head-butt Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who was not wearing a helmet. The league said the act violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1 on sportsmanship. He will miss Monday night's Week 6 game against the Washington Commanders and is eligible to return to the active roster on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Greenlaw is appealing the suspension. An appeal would go to a joint NFL-NFLPA hearing officer. Until that process finishes, treat him as unavailable for the Commanders game.
Context that matters
Greenlaw was also suspended one game last season in Denver for berating an official. He has been ejected multiple times in his career, and he was fined $11,941 last week for taunting Denver's sideline. He has 37 tackles in five games since returning to San Francisco this year.
Why it matters for RSO rosters
San Francisco already lost Deebo Samuel Sr. to a hamstring injury Sunday. Greenlaw's Week 6 absence thins the linebacker room for a short week into Monday night. IDP owners should plan for him to sit against Washington unless an appeal somehow overturns the ruling before kickoff, which is uncommon for a clear helmet-to-unprotected-player foul.
What RSO owners should do
Sit Greenlaw for Week 6 until the appeal is decided. Keep him rostered in IDP formats if his season-long role is still strong; this is a one-game ban with a set return window, not an injury. Watch for the appeal result and for how San Francisco fills his snaps against Washington.