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Nick Wagoner
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Moments after San Francisco’s 20-9 victory over Carolina on Monday night, 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings hit Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig with a quick, open-handed right cross to his face.
The two players were quickly separated, and Panthers linebacker Krys Barnes and 49ers senior director of player engagement Austin Moss II kept them apart.
Late in the game, Moehrig appeared to hit Jennings in the groin area. Jennings did not immediately retaliate and was seen pleading with the officials to throw a flag on Moehrig.
«I was just responding to some childish behavior,» Jennings said about his postgame actions.
Arizona Cardinals after picking up a pair of unnecessary roughness penalties.
Moehrig said Jennings was pushing him in the back and «talking crazy» to him during the game.
«He was just doing some extra stuff after the play,» Moehrig said. «I’ll take that one. It wasn’t just frustration. It was isolated.»
Asked if his response was justified, Moehrig said, «It is what it is.»
Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson added, «I ain’t got nothing good to say about [No.] 15.»
Carolina coach Dave Canales said he needed to review the film and speak to Moehrig about what happened.
«I’ll get to the bottom of that,» Canales said. «I want to see exactly what happened. I haven’t had to chance to talk to Tre about that yet. That’ll be a conversation.»
Moehrig acknowledged he «most likely» will be fined for hitting Jennings during the game.
Both players could also face a suspension. Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was suspended one game earlier this season for striking Kansas City Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after a game. Branch appealed, but his suspension was upheld by league officer Jordy Nelson.
Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of football operations, wrote in a letter to Branch that his «aggressive, non-football act was entirely unwarranted, posed a serious risk of injury and clearly violated the standards of conduct and sportsmanship expected of NFL players.»
ESPN’s David Newton contributed to this report.
