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Dre Greenlaw
LB · SF

Dre Greenlaw

Position LB
Team SF
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Dre Greenlaw

NFL player. Position: Linebacker. Team: SF.

Quick Facts

  • Position: Linebacker
  • Team: SF (San Francisco 49ers)
  • Notable: Returning to 49ers after 2025 season with Denver Broncos

2026 Outlook

Dre Greenlaw is reuniting with Fred Warner to reform the elite linebacker tandem the 49ers had two years ago. According to NFL Network's Steve Wyche, the pair "two years ago were the best linebacker tandem in the NFL." Greenlaw spent the 2025 season with Denver but signed with San Francisco in free agency. Together with Warner, they bring speed and the ability to attack opposing offenses — a critical component of the 49ers' defensive scheme under new coordinator Raheem Morris. (per Steve Wyche Breaks Down Why 49ers Defense Could Be Among NFL's Best)

The 49ers traded Luke Winters (who had emerged as a productive linebacker) to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-round pick, clearing the depth chart for Greenlaw to step in as a starter alongside Warner. (per 2026 NFL IDP Sleepers Fantasy Football – Linebackers)

The return to San Francisco carries emotional weight — Greenlaw still feels the sting of being released by Denver head coach Sean Payton, who cut him via his agent and stopped communicating with him after his Week 12 injury last season. When facing Payton in Week 4, Greenlaw voiced his frustration on the sideline; he finished the game with 12 tackles and a forced fumble. (per Broncos coach Sean Payton reacts to Dre Greenlaw's fiery in-game message)

The NFL's new three-strike suspension rule—which suspends players after three violations in a season (hip drop tackle, horse collar tackle, launching, or blindside block)—adds risk for aggressive defenders like Greenlaw. With unclear enforcement and subjective calls on defenseless-player flags, Greenlaw could face unexpected suspension if officials view his tackling style as violating the rule. (per NFL and NFLPA just handed refs a loaded three-strike rule)

Disciplinary pattern: In Week 5, Greenlaw was suspended one game for headbutting Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV after a sideline confrontation. He intends to appeal. This continues a pattern of ejections and fines throughout the season—including a headbutt ejection on Chargers QB Justin Herbert, a sideline altercation with Eagles security, and a taunting fine after exchanging words with Sean Payton's Broncos bench. Greenlaw's aggressive style and tendency to engage in confrontations create ongoing suspension and fine risk. (per 49ers' Dre Greenlaw suspended 1 game after headbutting helmetless Ernest Jones IV)

Role / Depth Chart

Linebacker. Starting linebacker alongside Fred Warner for the 49ers defense.

Injury Status

Week 3 bruised quad (Sept 28): Dre Greenlaw left the game late in Week 3 vs Arizona, returned briefly for one play, then was "shut down" for the remainder. Kyle Shanahan confirmed Greenlaw has a bruised quad but indicated he will just need to take it easy this week to allow the bruise to heal. Not expected to be long-term (per Evans, Williams, Greenlaw don't have long-term injuries, 49ers say).

No other current structural injuries reported.

Recent News

Open Questions

Sources

What the Experts Are Saying

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