LAS VEGAS — The worst-case scenario is reality for Dre Greenlaw, whose Super Bowl was cut short by a freak injury.
Greenlaw, the 49ers’ hard-hitting linebacker, exited the game after injuring his left leg Achilles while stepping onto the field from the sidelines in the second quarter. Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed after the game that Greenlaw tore the tendon.
A torn Achilles is generally considered to be one of the most difficult injuries to come back from and carries a typical recovery time frame of six to nine months — which could put Greenlaw’s 2024 season in jeopardy. The devastating injury happened on a tragic night for the 49ers, who lost, 25-22, to the Chiefs in overtime of Super Bowl LVIII.
“That’s depressing,” said a somber George Kittle postgame. “To get injured in the Super Bowl? Hopefully he hits up Aaron Rodgers and figures out how to heal up quickly. Besides that, Dre’s the heartbeat of our defense, Fred and him. They feed off each other.”
Rodgers, the Jets star quarterback, miraculously returned to practice just 77 days after he tore his Achilles this year, but didn’t return to play. Greenlaw, who plays a much more physically demanding position, faces an even more daunting journey.
Dre Greenlaw appeared to injure himself jogging back onto the field pic.twitter.com/p3nwmTUsfO
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024
On the field, Warner and Greenlaw play connected. It’s clear that their bond stretches beyond the gridiron, though.
“I’m sick to my stomach,” Warner said. “I’m still sick. I (saw) him at halftime and I’m just crying, so hurt for him and obviously wanting to win this for him and. Sickening.”
After the game, Greenlaw wore a walking boot and used crutches. He battled through injuries all year to help San Francisco reach the Super Bowl, playing through hamstring, ankle and hip ailments. He was one of the team’s most frequent inclusions on the injury report.
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Greenlaw moved into fourth in franchise history in total playoff tackles before suffering his injury on Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium, passing Pro Football Hall of Famer Patrick Willis with 71.
If Greenlaw has to miss next season, the 49ers will have a major hole to plug in the middle of their defense.
“He’s a one-of-one human being,” edge rusher Nick Bosa said. “He’s been through so much this year, I think 99% of players wouldn’t have been able to get through it. He put his body on the line.”