49ers' Greenlaw ejected after head butting helmetless Jones in Seahawks clash
Nick WagonerOct 11, 2026, 06:03 PM ET
- Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga.
SEATTLE -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw was ejected in the second quarter of Sunday's divisional showdown with the Seahawks after a late hit and an ensuing headbutt delivered on Seattle's sideline.
With 6:30 left in the first half and the Niners leading 14-10, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold scrambled toward Seattle's sideline, picking up 5 yards and stepping out of bounds as Greenlaw hit him after he had touched the sideline.
While a flag for a late hit came in, a handful of Seahawks players surrounded Greenlaw, including Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV. Jones and Greenlaw exchanged words before Greenlaw, still wearing his helmet, leaned in to contact the face of Jones, who was not wearing a helmet at the time.
After breaking up the ensuing skirmish, officials announced Greenlaw's ejection.
Rookie Jaden Dugger replaced Greenlaw at weak side linebacker with veteran Luke Gifford stepping into Dugger's place on the strong side.
It marked the third ejection of Greenlaw's career. He had previously been disqualified for a late hit on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in 2022 and for a similar sideline dustup in a 2023 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Greenlaw is coming off an emotional game against the Broncos last week in which he repeatedly yelled at Denver's sideline and coach Sean Payton throughout the win. He was fined $11,941 by the NFL on Saturday for unsportsmanlike conduct.
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