The 49ers’ update on linebacker Dre Greenlaw is more bad news for the San Francisco defensive star.
Initially listed as questionable to return to Sunday’s contest versus Miami from Hard Rock Stadium, Greenlaw has officially been ruled out of the game with a right calf injury.
Since his return from an Achilles tear in Super Bowl LVIII, Greenlaw has been ruled out with injury in each of the two games he has played with the 49ers this season.
#SFvsMIA @DignityHealth injury update: Dre Greenlaw is out with a calf injury.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 22, 2024
After missing the first 13 games of the 49ers’ season, Greenlaw returned in Week 15 versus the Los Angeles Rams.
Greenlaw made his presence felt quickly, tallying eight tackles against Los Angeles. But, Greenlaw exited midway through with Achilles and knee soreness.
“Greenlaw with his Achilles, knee, checked out good, so he’s just dealing with some soreness. He should be good going forward,” Shanahan said of Greenlaw the day after the Rams loss.
Greenlaw has been injury prone throughout his six-year run with the 49ers. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft, Greenlaw has been a star for San Francisco when he is healthy.
But, keeping Greenlaw healthy and available has been a challenge as nagging quad, groin, calf and hamstring injuries have sidelined the 49er linebacker at times.
Greenlaw is set to potentially become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The contrast for the 49ers between when Greenlaw is healthy and when he is not is sharp.
San Francisco’s defense limits opponents to 19.7 points per game and boasts a 44-19 record in its 63 regular season games with Greenlaw. In the 34 games without Greenlaw, San Francisco is just 16-18 and allows 21.1 points per game.
The 6-foot, 230 pound linebacker racked up 127 and 120 tackles in the respective 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons.
