Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw has been suspended one game by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct toward a referee following Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, the league announced Monday.
According to the NFL’s statement, Greenlaw “chased after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him as he tried to leave the field.”
Video posted by a CBS Colorado reporter shows Greenlaw’s encounter with Allen.
Video of Dre Greenlaw: https://t.co/TRtxJ0WQfH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2025
The league said Greenlaw violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(b), which prohibits “the use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.”
Greenlaw has three days to appeal the suspension. If he does not appeal or the suspension is upheld, he would miss the Broncos’ practices this week and Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys. The suspension would also cost him a game check in the amount of $192,778.
He will be eligible to return to Denver’s active roster next Monday.
Sunday marked Greenlaw’s first game with Denver after signing a three-year, $31.5 million contract in March. He did not play in the preseason or in the first six games of the regular season because of thigh injuries.
Against the Giants, Greenlaw played 21 snaps and finished with six tackles and a quarterback hit as the Broncos stormed back from a 19-0 fourth-quarter deficit to win 33-32 and improve to 5-2.
Broncos coach Sean Payton has consistently lauded the physicality and athleticism Greenlaw could bring to the Denver defense. Despite his injuries over the years, Greenlaw has been one of the league’s most impactful off-ball linebackers — he’s had four 80-tackle seasons and 14 career passes defensed.
