49ers LB Dre Greenlaw suspended 1 game after headbutting helmetless Ernest Jones IV

The NFL has suspended San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw for one game after his actions in the team's Week 5 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Greenlaw has the option to appeal.

According to the league’s press release, Greenlaw “used his helmet to headbutt Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who was not wearing a helmet, violating Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.’”

Greenlaw was flagged for hitting Sam Darnold late when the quarterback was running out of bounds. It happened on the Seattle sideline, so the Seahawks came to their quarterback's aid.

Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV confronted Greenlaw and appeared to push the 49ers linebacker's facemask.

Greenlaw responded by headbutting Jones, who was not wearing a helmet.

Replay caught the action, and it was reviewed. According to the postgame pool report, the league used its new rule, under which the Art McNally Gameday Central in New York (AMGC) can eject a player even without a flag being thrown. This stemmed, in part, from DK Metcalf's interaction with a fan last year.

The review cited Greenlaw for non-football conduct, and he was ejected for the rest of the game.

If the linebacker doesn’t appeal, he'll serve a one-game suspension for San Francisco’s Week 6 matchup with the Washington Commanders on Monday night.

This isn't Greenlaw's first ejection. He first got the boot after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Greenlaw then made headlines after Philadelphia Eagles chief of security Big Dom confronted him, and the linebacker shoved his face before getting ejected.

Greenlaw was suspended for one game in 2025 after he confronted and "verbally threatened" referee Brad Allen following a loss. The linebacker was fined for taunting earlier this season after repeatedly exchanging words with the Denver Broncos' sideline and head coach Sean Payton after Denver released him earlier this year.