San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was suspended for one game without pay after headbutting Seattle Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV during a Week 5 game on October 11, 2026. The NFL upheld the punishment following an appeal handled by hearing officer James Thrash.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of a divisional matchup at Lumen Field, where San Francisco ultimately secured a 32-29 win against Seattle. Following a late hit by Greenlaw on Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold near the visitor’s bench, Seattle players converged on the area. Jones, who was not wearing his helmet, confronted Greenlaw. While wearing his helmet, Greenlaw thrust his head forward and struck Jones, leaving the Seahawks linebacker with a visible facial cut that required a towel to clean.
NFL Discipline and James Thrash Appeal Ruling
On Monday, October 12, the league announced a one-game suspension for Greenlaw, citing a violation of Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which governs acts contrary to the understood principles of sportsmanship. Greenlaw quickly appealed the decision. On Tuesday, October 13, hearing officer James Thrash — a former NFL receiver jointly appointed by the league and the NFL Players Association — denied the appeal, leaving the ban in place.
Hearing officer James Thrash, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, has upheld the one-game suspension of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
— https://x.com/NFLfootballinfo/status/2110174370832195928
Greenlaw will forfeit $136,388 in base salary and lose a $23,529 active roster bonus for the missed contest.
Ejection Triggered by New Competition Committee Rule
On-field officials initially flagged Greenlaw only for the personal foul against Darnold before disqualifying him after a delay. The ejection made use of a rule approved by the league’s competition committee in March 2026, which permits central league personnel at Art McNally Gameday Central to consult with on-field officials regarding flagrant and non-football acts without waiting for an initial flag.
“League personnel to consult with on-field officials when considering disqualifications for both flagrant football acts and non-football acts without being called on the field.”
NFL Operations guidelines, via SFGATE
Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent communicated the ejection decision to the field, prompting officials to inform Greenlaw he was disqualified for a non-football act.
Coach Kyle Shanahan and Teammates Address the Sideline Escalation
Kyle Shanahan expressed no disagreement with the officials’ ruling after the game, emphasizing that his veteran linebacker must maintain composure when provoked near an opponent’s bench area.
“You’re going to get baited big time when, especially when you’re on their bench. They told me that he had butted a guy without a helmet. So if that’s exactly what happened, then yeah, we got to be a lot smarter than that. Can’t do that.”
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers Head Coach
The disciplinary action adds to a history of similar sideline infractions for Greenlaw, who was ejected during a 2023 game following an altercation with Philadelphia Eagles head of security Dom DiSandro and disqualified in 2022 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. He also served a one-game suspension last season while playing for the Denver Broncos for berating referee Brad Allen.
Rookie Jaden Dugger Steps Up for Upcoming Matchup Against Washington
Dugger played a career-high 47 snaps (75 percent of the total defensive plays) after Greenlaw’s ejection in Seattle.
The 29-year-old defender has accumulated 37 tackles across five games this season. Greenlaw returned to the organization after spending the 2025 campaign with the Denver Broncos.
Dugger’s defensive participation has previously fluctuated based on specific game scripts. He logged 55.7 percent of the defensive snaps during a Week 1 victory against the Los Angeles Rams, but his playing time dipped to 30.5 percent in Week 2 and 37.9 percent in Week 3, before dropping to 15 snaps and 22.7 percent overall prior to the Seattle contest.
Following the league’s final determination, the San Francisco 49ers will officially be without Dre Greenlaw for their Week 6 game against the Washington Commanders on Oct. 19.
