NFL to Announce Punishment Decision After Sam Darnold Incident

Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

NFL to Announce Punishment Decision After Sam Darnold Incident

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Oct 11, 2026 5:51 PM ET

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers have built quite the rivalry in the NFC West over the past decade, with both teams routinely fielding some of the most competitive rosters in football. San Francisco entered Week 5 undefeated while Seattle sat at 3-1.

The two sides matched up with the winner able to take sole possession of first place in the division. It was competitive early, with both teams scoring a touchdown in the first quarter.

Seattle added a field goal before a Christian McCaffrey touchdown gave the 49ers a lead late in the second quarter.

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold then took over for his sixth drive of the game looking to get Seattle back on top.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

During the drive, Darnold and the Seahawks got some help from the 49ers defense. On 2nd and 6 at their own 48-yard line, Darnold scrambled for five yards to make it 3rd and short.

However, at the end of the play, San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw delivered a late hit on Darnold, immediately drawing a flag.

What followed was even worse. Greenlaw got in the face of Seattle’s bench and delivered a hit to the head of a Seahawks player. He was immediately disqualified from the game.

Greenlaw has been ejected from the game for head butting a Seahawks player on the sideline who doesn’t have a helmet on pic.twitter.com/f5UweyFj6h
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) October 11, 2026

That will not be the only punishment Greenlaw receives. The NFL will review the play and decide whether further action is warranted beyond the ejection.

First, he will likely be fined for the late hit, which for a first offense per the NFL fines and appeals schedule is worth $11,941. Second, he could also be fined for the altercation near the sideline, which carries a much more substantial fine of $41,907.

Fines typically take a week for the NFL to announce, so Greenlaw will be losing money out of his own pocket while also leaving the 49ers defense shorthanded for the remainder of Week 5.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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