Dre Greenlaw believed to have suffered torn Achilles during Super Bowl, per report
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Greenlaw sustained the injury running onto the field after a kickoff. He had to be carted off the field, ending his night in Las Vegas. Six-year veteran Oren Burks has replaced Greenlaw alongside Fred Warner at linebacker.
It’s a tough blow for the 49ers, as Greenlaw is one of their leaders on defense. The 26-year-old was second on the team in tackles this season, tallying 120 (75 solo). He added 1.5 sacks, four pass defenses, and four quarterback hits. Prior to his exit from the game, Greenlaw recorded three tackles against the Chiefs.
Dre Greenlaw emerging as one of league’s best LBs
In the 24-21 NFC Divisional Round Game victory over the Green Bay Packers, he had two interceptions, marking the first time in his five-year career that he posted multiple interceptions in a single game. Greenlaw missed out on earning his first career Pro Bowl nod this season, which defensive coordinator Steve Wilks called “disappointing.”
“It’s definitely disappointing,” Wilks said last month. “He hasn’t mentioned anything. I’m just saying it’s disappointing in regard to myself because I think he’s still one of the elite linebackers in this league. The way he plays, he’s a tone setter for us, him and Fred both out there. He missed a few games. Once again that happens a little bit from a standpoint of the voting. But if you know football, he’s one of the best in the league.”
Warner, who picked up his third-career Pro Bowl nod, said it hurt him not to see Greenlaw get the recognition.
“It hurts my heart for him. I know that’s something he fully deserves,” Warner said. “The level he’s played at for as many years now as he has. I mean, I guess it’s only a matter of time before people figure it out. I know the kind of guy that Dre is. He doesn’t really care about those sorts of things. He’s all about just playing ball. But at the same time, I want that for him, and I know the whole team wants that for him. Players, coaches, everybody.”