49ers LB Dre Greenlaw Opens Up About His Achilles Super Bowl Injury

What could have been....

Feb 6, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) during a press conference before Super Bowl LVIII at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw opens up about the Achilles injury he suffered in the Super Bowl.

Greenlaw lasted only 12 plays before suffering a freak, non-contact injury to his left leg while running onto the field.

In the end, the 49ers lost 25–22 in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs. A sixth Lombardi Trophy was within their grasp, only to be snatched away.

Greenlaw discussed the moment in great detail with Terron Armstead, stating: “I’m locked in and ready to go on the sideline.

"Getting ready to go on the field and that’s when I felt that pop. When I felt that pop I thought maybe I rolled my ankle or somebody stepped on my ankle.

"Then I heard Nick Bosa behind me say 'Sorry buddy' and I thought maybe he stepped on my ankle. I’m like 'Awe shoot, he stepped on my ankle. What the heck'…

"That’s when I kinda stood up and it felt heavy and I’m like 'Damn something ain’t right'.”

At the time, fellow San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner reacted in anger after seeing Greenlaw’s injury. Bosa observed in disbelief as Greenlaw hobbled the few feet to the sideline, where medical staff began treating him. Moments later, the emotions got to Greenlaw, who became teary-eyed as he was taken to the locker room on a cart.

Greenlaw was able to stand and limp to the sideline, but he and the 49ers seemed to have a pretty good idea of what had just happened. Greenlaw had recorded three tackles in Las Vegas before the injury.

The moment immediately sparked a wave of “what if” questions surrounding the game. Greenlaw had been one of the anchors of San Francisco’s defense throughout the season, and his absence was felt almost instantly.

What if he had remained on the field for the rest of the night? Could the 49ers have made a crucial stop late in the game, or slowed Kansas City’s momentum in overtime?

The brutality of the National Football League shows that everything can change in a matter of seconds and in the smallest of moments, and Greenlaw’s injury became one of the most significant turning points of the night.

With the Lombardi Trophy still to play for, the 49ers were left wondering how differently the game might have unfolded had one of their defensive leaders been able to stay on the field.

But now that Greenlaw is back in the City by the Bay, another chapter is still waiting to be written.