San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been ruled out for the second half of Super Bowl LVIII after suffering an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw appeared to suffer the injury while jogging back onto the field in the second quarter. He stayed down for a few minutes and was unable to put weight on the leg, per the CBS broadcast. Greenlaw was carted off the field moments later.

He had been dealing with Achilles tendinitis at the close of the regular season.

Dre Greenlaw appeared to injure himself jogging back onto the field pic.twitter.com/p3nwmTUsfO

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw entered Sunday posting 15 total tackles and two interceptions through two postseason games.

What Greenlaw’s injury means for San Francisco

Greenlaw is one of the 49ers’ best tacklers. His speed and aggressiveness sideline to sideline is pivotal to the Niners at their best. Another key factor is his chemistry with Fred Warner is vital to the middle of the 49ers defense. As often the two patrolling the middle, their communication and scheme discipline together is the heart of the 49ers defense.

In many ways, Greenlaw is also the fire of the 49ers defense. He plays angry. He hits hard. He infuses that into the defense. The 49ers have had issues with energy. But Greenlaw opened the Super Bowl flying around, making big hits. It was the first sign this 49ers defense was locked in.

Without Greenlaw, the 49ers turn to Oren Burks. He’s the third linebacker when the 49ers go to their base defense. — Marcus Thompson II, Bay Area columnist

Required reading

(Photo: Harry How / Getty Images)