The NFL could investigate the San Francisco 49ers for not disclosing linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s Achilles injury on the Super Bowl injury report. Greenlaw exited the 49ers game against the Chiefs in the second quarter due to a torn Achilles.
On first glance, most fans and analysts thought Greenlaw suffered a freak non-contact injury as he was running onto the field. However, Greenlaw missed Week 18 due to Achilles tendinitis and battled the injury in the playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers weren’t surprised by the injury
Per David Lombardi with The Athletic, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said Greenlaw was battling the Achilles injury heading into the Super Bowl and knew why Greenlaw was injured the moment it happened:
“I was sick to my stomach,” Warner said after the game. “I’m still sick. I seen him at halftime and I’m just, I’m crying because I’m so hurt for him. And obviously I wanted to win this for him. Sickening.
“He’s just been dealing with that same Achilles injury for the last few weeks. So when we ran out on the field together and I see him drop down, I knew exactly what happened.”
Greenlaw’s injury, which came as he took the field for a defensive series, was a clear turning point in this Super Bowl.
Greenlaw was listed as having an Achilles injury for the injury reports for the Divisional Round and NFC Championship Game. However, Greenlaw was not listed on the Super Bowl injury report for having the injury.
Greenlaw was healthy again as far as sports bettors knew heading into the Super Bowl. As Lombardi noted, Greenlaw’s absence changed the outcome of the game.
Dre Greenlaw’s replacement was a major factor in the Chiefs’ comeback
Per Pro Football Focus, Greenlaw’s replacement in the Super Bowl, Oren Burks, struggled against the Chiefs’ offense on Sunday. He gave up nine catches on the nine passing plays he was targeted. Burks allowed a touchdown. He earned a 32.1 coverage grade and a 35.3 overall grade for his play on Sunday.
Burks also missed a tackle.
Once Dre Greenlaw went down, Oren Burks filled in for him. Here’s how he did in coverage:
• 9 targets
• 9 catches allowed
• 1 touchdown
• 134.7 passer rating when targeted
• 32.1 PFF coverage grade pic.twitter.com/UKjwtqeFpt— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) February 12, 2024
The NFL should investigate why Greenlaw wasn’t on the injury report
Greenlaw’s injury was arguably significant enough to help sway the favor of the game for the Chiefs’ offense. If the 49ers knew about Greenlaw’s Achilles injury and did not report it, the NFL could investigate the matter and punish the 49ers.
The league punished the Atlanta Falcons for not disclosing running back Bijan Robinson’s headache before a regular season game. Not disclosing Greenlaw’s Achilles injury before a Super Bowl, in Las Vegas mind you, is a lot worse than hiding Robinson’s headache.
The underdog’s offense played much better in the second half when Burks was in the game.
Given what Greenlaw’s injury meant to the outcome of the Super Bowl, the NFL needs to investigate whether the injury Sunday was new or if it should have been brought to the public’s attention on the injury report.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!
