49ers’ Kyle Shanahan baffled by Dre Greenlaw ejection

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan understood why linebacker Dre Greenlaw drew a penalty for pointless roughness after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert late within the first half of Sunday night time’s recreation.

However even after his crew emerged with a 22-16 victory to enhance to 5-4, Shanahan mentioned he did not assume Greenlaw ought to have been ejected and was nonetheless befuddled as to why that call was made.

“It form of really blew my thoughts,” Shanahan mentioned. “I perceive the penalty. I completely get that proper on the third down marker, he was decreasing his shoulder however I’ve received to study what that’s. I get how it’s with penalties and stuff as a result of I believe he did hit his helmet … however I believed there needed to be intent and one thing pointless and that was a giant play proper there. For us to lose Greenlaw for the entire recreation off that, that actually shocked me. So, hopefully they will train us that so we are able to perceive why we misplaced one in all our gamers.”

Greenlaw’s ejection got here with about 30 seconds left within the first half after the hit on Herbert. On third-and-6 at San Francisco’s 40, Herbert scrambled up the center to evade strain. As he tried to dive, Niners security Jimmie Ward hit him from behind, jolting him ahead into Greenlaw, who was closing in from Herbert’s proper.

Greenlaw’s helmet collided with Herbert’s as Herbert went down on the Niners’ 35. Officers instantly threw a flag for the hit however spent just a few moments deliberating earlier than opting to implement the penalty and eject Greenlaw.

Based on Walt Anderson, the NFL’s senior vice chairman of officiating, whereas the penalty known as on the sector, the ejection choice comes from the officiating workplaces in New York. When Greenlaw lowered his head and made forcible contact, it was then as much as the officers in New York to find out if the motion was flagrant.

Anderson mentioned that “the timing, the way by which the participant had a chance to make different selections and to make a unique choice” all issue into deciding whether or not one thing is flagrant.

Anderson mentioned from the officers’ view, the preliminary hit from Ward had made Herbert a “downed runner.”

“He was down,” Anderson mentioned. “At any time when (Greenlaw) lowered his head and made forcible contact, the runner was already down on the bottom. His knee was already down and he was tackled.”

After the hit, Herbert went to the sideline and entered the blue tent to be evaluated for a concussion as backup Chase Daniel dealt with the Chargers’ ultimate three offensive snaps of the half.

Herbert cleared the concussion protocol at halftime and returned to the sport. He completed 21-of-35 for 196 yards with a landing and an interception and had 5 carries for 22 yards.

Greenlaw, who was coming back from a calf harm, led the Niners with seven tackles on the time of his ejection. Azeez Al-Shaair, who was in his first recreation again from injured reserve after a sprained knee, changed Greenlaw and posted three tackles.

“That is a troublesome participant to lose,” security Talanoa Hufanga mentioned. “He is a man that is so energetic, aggressive. A man that goes on the market and flies to the ball, makes the performs that he makes, however in case you take a look at his backup in Azeez, he is similar to him. They’re very related guys who can simply movement to the ball, play their recreation and be quick and bodily.”

Whereas Greenlaw missed the remainder of the sport after his ejection, he’s nonetheless topic to extra self-discipline upon additional overview of the play from the league. That may probably embrace a wonderful and extra penalties, as much as and together with a suspension, based on Anderson.

“That is a troublesome play,” finish Nick Bosa mentioned. “Stuff occurs actually quick on the market. I do know him, he isn’t making an attempt to harm anyone. He is simply making an attempt to make a play. It’s what it’s.”