49ers' Dre Greenlaw suspended one game for head-butting Seahawks' Ernest Jones

Michael Nowels, The Mercury News on Oct 12, 2026

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended for one game after head-butting a Seahawks player who was not wearing a helmet during Sunday's win in Seattle.

Greenlaw head-butted Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV on the Seattle sideline during the second quarter. The scuffle began after Greenlaw bumped Sam Darnold as the quarterback reached the sideline on a scramble.

Jones was one of the Seattle players to confront Greenlaw, who lowered his helmet to bump Jones in the forehead and was ejected from the game.

The NFL announced the suspension Monday, citing the league’s right to punish players who display poor sportsmanship. Greenlaw has the right to appeal through the NFL Players’ Association.

Greenlaw had three tackles Sunday before being disqualified from the game. Jaden Dugger filled in for him and played fairly well, making nine tackles with his first career sack.

Coach Kyle Shanahan declined to address the head-butt in his postgame press conference and Greenlaw did not speak to media.

Greenlaw had been a significant presence in the first four games of the season, including last week when he had a season high of 12 tackles against the Denver Broncos, who released him last winter.

He shouted at Broncos coach Sean Payton after that game, showing his trademark fire, and was guided away toward the 49ers’ locker room.

Greenlaw, 29, is in his eighth season after being drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. He returned to the Niners in free agency this past offseason on a one-year, $7.5 million deal.

The former Arkansas star was ejected from a 2023 game in Philadelphia for a sideline incident with Eagles security officer Dom DiSandro and a 2022 game against the Los Angeles Chargers for a hit on Justin Herbert. He also was suspended last season for unsportsmanlike conduct toward an official, as the NFL said he verbally threatened referee Brad Allen.

____