49ERS LB DRE GREENLAW SUFFERS TORN ACHILLES IN SUPER BOWL DEFEAT TO THE CHIEFS
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles in the first half of Super Bowl LVIII last night, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. A game in which the Kansas City Chiefs would go on to win the game 25-22 in overtime.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the report on Greenlaw’s injury after the game with a short and curt statement. “I mean, injuries are part of the game,” said Shanahan. “They’re always a big deal, and it’s always tougher when you lose good guys like that.”
Greenlaw was hurt in a freak injury as he was running onto the field after the 49ers made a great special teams stop on a punt return. The fifth-year linebacker was caught by CBS’ sideline camera jumping up and down before tragically falling to the ground while trying to run onto the field.
The former Arkansas Razorback remained on the ground, clutching his left leg in agony, as All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner’s reaction hinted at the injury being more than just a little scare. Warner immediately put his hands on his head as he stared down at his partner in the middle of the defense before medical assistants came to diagnose the situation.
“I’m sick to my stomach [about the injury],” said Warner. “I’m still sick. I [saw] him at halftime, and I’m just crying, I’m so hurt for him and obviously wanted to win this for him. Sickening.”
Torn Achilles are usually one of the easiest and most accurate diagnoses in the NFL and it didn’t take long before the San Francisco 49ers ruled out Greenlaw for the remainder of the game. The 26-year-old linebacker was carted off into the locker room after a quick trip to the blue tent and with almost 100% of torn Achilles diagnosed on the field being confirmed the following day, Greenlaw is looking at a long offseason of rehab ahead.
49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle said about Greenlaw: “That’s depressing. To get injured in the Super Bowl? Hopefully he hits up Aaron Rodgers and figures our how to heal up quickly. Besides that, I mean, Dre’s the heartbeat of our defense, him and Fred [Warner] in there. They feed off of each other.”
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in Week 1 of the regular season back in September and had the newly innovated sports medicine surgery, the speed bridge surgery, which brought him back to team practice in just under 3 months. The 39-year-old came back in December just 77 days after sustaining the injury.
“Dre’s obviously an amazing player, one of the best players on our team and one of the best linebackers in the NFL,” said Niners defensive lineman Arik Armstead. “He’s our enforcer and our tone-setter. Not having him is a huge loss.”
A fifth-round pick in 2019, Greenlaw has very quickly developed into one of the best inside linebackers in the league. The Arkansas-born defender started all 15 games he played this season and was the 49ers’ second-leading tackler, behind three-time Pro Bowler Fred Warner. Greenlaw recorded one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, registering his second straight year with at least 120 tackles. He also added four passes defensed and 1.5 sacks.
“It was hard. Sometimes when things like that happen, it can sway the momentum just because it’s such an emotional feeling,” said 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa. “Dre is a one-of-one human being. He was pushing through so much this year, and I think 99% of players wouldn’t have been able to do what he did. He put his body on the line for this, and it sucks we couldn’t get him [a win].”
Greenlaw has dealt with Achilles tendon issues recently but ended up missing just two regular-season games this year. One of the games, the regular season-finale against the Los Angeles Rams, he missed with Achilles tendonitis, which he was still dealing with leading up to the NFC Divisional Game against the Green Bay Packers.
The 6-foot, 230-pound linebacker was pictured leaving the Allegiant Stadium last night wearing a walking boot and with the help of crutches. Greenlaw signed a two-year contract extension with the Niners in 2022 and is tied to the team through the 2024 season. However, he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Meaning that 2024 was setting up to be a year with huge financial implications for his long term future.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: Alexander Jonesi. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.