Dre Greenlaw suspension puts 49ers on wrong side of double-edged lightning rod

SEATTLE — There’s a reason why he’s your favorite 49er’s favorite Niner.He’s the spiritual partner to fellow linebacker Fred Warner.Nick Bosa called him “my favorite teammate I’ve ever played with on the field.” In public, coach Kyle Shanahan refers to him as a “family member.” Behind the scenes, general manager John Lynch revealed this week on KNBR, Shanahan has another nickname for Dre Greenlaw: Mike Tyson.“For a reason,” Lynch said.

“He’s a ferocious competitor.And it’s great to have him on our side.”Lynch’s comments came after Dre Greenlaw channeled his emotions into a team-high 12 tackles against his former team, the Broncos (and some choice words for Sean Payton).

Just one week later, the 49ers learned (as they have in the past) that it cuts both ways.After all, just ask Evander Holyfield. Or, in this case, Ernest Jones IV.Thankfully, Jones’ ears remain intact.But the bare head of the Seahawks linebacker took a bruising when Greenlaw head-butted his helmeted noggin into Jones’ unprotected face after finding himself in a sea of blue on the Seattle sideline.

The late hit on quarterback Sam Darnold that put Greenlaw deep into enemy territory all by himself in the second quarter of the 32-29 win was harmful enough, drawing a 15-yard personal foul, but his actions after the whistle blew proved to be even more costly.The NFL on Monday handed down a one-game suspension to Greenlaw.He will get the chance to make his case in an appeal hearing Tuesday, but for now, the 49ers have to prepare as if they’ll be without their No.

2 linebacker when they host the Commanders on Monday night.Shanahan said on a conference call with reporters a few hours after the NFL announced its punishment that he “was disappointed they decided to do that … but you’ve got to deal with it.”What was the league supposed to do?If the league is serious about head trauma, it can’t have unhelmeted players taking blows (even if they happen to grab ...