LAS VEGAS — The 49ers lost a key member of their defense when linebacker Dre Greenlaw went down and out with a freak injury early in the second quarter Sunday in Super Bowl 2024.

Strangely, Greenlaw was not even in the game when he got hurt.

Without him down the stretch, the Niners were beaten by the Chiefs 25-22 in overtime.

Greenlaw was bouncing up and down and started running onto the field after a 49ers punt and then crumpled to the turf.

He had to be taken off the field on a cart and was ruled out of the game with what was diagnosed as a torn Achilles.

“Dre’s obviously an amazing player, one of the best players on our team and one of the best linebackers in the NFL,’’ defensive lineman Arik Armstead said. “He’s our enforcer and our tone-setter. Not having him is a huge loss.’’

Greenlaw this season had 120 tackles, second on the team to Fred Warner’s 132.

Cornerback Charvarius Ward has called Greenlaw the “motor of the defense’’ and the 49ers were left without that motor. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles came off the bench to replace Greenlaw.

“Hopefully he hits up Aaron Rodgers on how to get back quickly,’’ Niners tight end George Kittle said.

Niners rookie Jake Moody’s 55-yard field goal early in the second quarter was the longest in Super Bowl history, beating Steve Christie’s 54-yarder in Super Bowl XXVII for the Bills.

That record lasted … not long.

With 5:01 left in the third quarter, Harrison Butker nailed a line-drive 57-yarder to pull the Chiefs within 10-6.

Patrick Mahomes is only 28 and yet he is now third on the list for most postseason wins in NFL history. He has 15 and trails only Tom Brady (35) and Joe Montana (16).

Former Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal qualifies as an unsung hero for the Chiefs.

Chenal had six tackles, one third-down stop, one forced fumble of Christian McCaffrey and one blocked extra point.

Tale of two coaches: Kyle Shanahan, trailing 13-10 early in the fourth quarter, went for it on fourth-and-3 at the KC 14-yard line rather than try to tie the game with a field goal.

His gamble paid off when Brock Purdy hit George Kittle for a first down and the 49ers eventually scored a touchdown on the drive.

Andy Reid, trailing 16-13 with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, opted to kick a field goal on fourth-and-goal from the 5-yard line.

Reid arrived at the stadium in attire that channeled Kansas City legend Hank Stram.

Reid wore a black sports jacket emblazoned with a Chiefs logo, a replica of the blazer Stram used to wear on the sideline during his historic tenure in Kansas City — he won three AFL titles and also Super Bowl IV.

No one really makes a big deal of this, but there is financial reward for winning the game.

Each winning player receives $164,000. Players on the losing team get $89,000.

Teams that win the coin toss came into the game with a record of 26-21 in Super Bowls. The Chiefs won the toss and elected to defer.

They ended up winning and the coin-toss winner is now 27-21 in Super Bowls.