Sunday night’s NFL matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Chargers featured an ejection of 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw after a dangerous hit to Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Los Angeles was looking to add to their 13-10 lead at the end of the first half when Herbert decided to try and run for a first down on a 3rd-and-6 play.
He came up just short of the first down and took a huge hit for his troubles, with helmet-to-helmet contact occurring as Herbert was going to the ground.
49ers LB Dre Greenlaw has been ejected after this hit to the head on Chargers QB Justin Herbert.
Chase Daniel is now in at QB for Los Angeles. #SNF pic.twitter.com/6LRlcoe9QM
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 14, 2022
A flag was immediately thrown on the play, and after a discussion, it was decided that the hit was worthy of an unnecessary roughness call and an ejection to Greenlaw.
It was clearly helmet-to-helmet contact, but many around the NFL world believe that Greenlaw didn’t target Herbert’s head and the contact happened due to him being pulled down.
Greenlaw made helmet-to-helmet contact. But he did not lower his head to initiate contact. It probably shouldn't even have been a penalty. But even if you wanted to err on the safe side and flag him, an ejection is an egregious overreaction.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) November 14, 2022
Greenlaw should not be thrown out. 15 yards? Sure. Ejection is overkill. #49ers
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) November 14, 2022
Ejection on a Tackle??
— Warren Sapp (@WarrenSapp) November 14, 2022
I’m fine with the Dre Greenlaw personal foul but the ejection is taking it too far #SNF
— Chris Canty (@ChrisCanty99) November 14, 2022
The ejection seems a harsh. He's already getting fined for that. Don't think that warranted an ejection.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 14, 2022
A personal foul, I understand. But how can the officials prove there was malicious intent from Dre Greenlaw — enough for an ejection — on a bang-bang play where Justin Herbert was falling down and therefore a moving target?
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) November 14, 2022
It certainly didn’t look like Greenlaw was targeting the head, and that the contact came due to Herbert being pulled down on the play.
That being said, the NFL will almost always air on the side of caution when it comes to any quarterback taking big hits.
The hit forced Herbert out of the game for the remainder of the first half, but he was ultimately cleared to return for the Chargers in the second half after he was deemed not to have a concussion on the play.
Justin Herbert was cleared on a concussion check.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) November 14, 2022
It’s great that Herbert is okay following this nasty hit, but the decision to eject Greenlaw is one that will certainly be discussed regardless of the result on Sunday night.
