The 49ers lost star linebacker Dre Greenlaw early in their Week 16 road game against the Dolphins.

The San Francisco 49ers were thrilled to get one of the NFL’s best linebackers back from injury, Dre Greenlaw, in Week 15 despite their loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.

Greenlaw appeared for just one half before leaving with knee tightness, perhaps a precautionary move after suffering a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl last February.

Although what transpired thereafter with another veteran backer who was supposed to fill in for Greenlaw wasn’t exactly stellar, the Niners were nevertheless happy to have one of their best players back in the fray after missing the bulk of the season.

Greenlaw could have opted to rest and heal up amid a lost season, especially after San Francisco learned it was officially eliminated from postseason contention minutes before squaring off against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. But he opted to play, which is commendable.

However, it might have been a bad decision.

Dre Greenlaw suffers injury early in Week 16 vs. Dolphins

After just one defensive series, Greenlaw walked off the field with what the CBS Sports crew reported as a calf injury in the opposite leg of the one on which he suffered his Achilles tear earlier.

According to the report, Greenlaw was notably upset on the sidelines and could be seen walking around with his helmet off.

The 49ers deemed his status as questionable to return to the game.

At 6-8, the Niners have little to play for down the stretch, including Week 16, aside from pride. They could help eliminate the Dolphins, who boast the same record but aren’t officially out of the running just yet, and that alone could provide motivation for Greenlaw to return to action.

Further updates are pending, but for now, San Francisco will turn to second-year linebacker Dee Winters to hold the line.