Jauan Jennings had to be held back from Tre’von Moehrig after he took a swipe at him after the 49ers defeated the Panthers, 20-9, in an ugly game for both teams’ quarterbacks.
The altercation involving Jennings, who had the Niners’ only touchdown catch of the night, occurred just after the final whistle Monday night and appeared to be in retaliation for a low blow by Moehrig earlier in the game at Levi’s Stadium.
The wide receiver walked by teammate Jake Tonges, swung with an open hand at Moehrig’s head and then shoved him, before Panthers linebacker Krys Barnes grabbed him and pulled Jennings away from Moehrig.
While the 49ers receiver was away from Moehrig, Jennings had to be wrestled to the ground by members of the coaching staff to keep him from reengaging with the Panthers player.
Teammates eventually helped guide him to the locker room.
The safety was no saint in the altercation, and it seemed ESPN broadcast footage showed that the safety initially hit Jennings in the groin area at some point earlier with what appeared to be a closed fist.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan reacted to the incident, calling Moehrig’s actions a “cheap shot.”
“The guy took a cheap shot and hit him in the balls,” Shanahan said. “I was real proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there and getting him to the sideline.”
Jennings had the lone TD reception for the 49ers and finished the night with five catches for 41 yards.
The ugly end felt like a representation of how the 49ers’ and Panthers’ respective quarterbacks played on Monday night.
Bryce Young threw two interceptions and had a mere 40 yards through the air midway through the fourth quarter.
Young did finish with 169 passing yards and a touchdown pass.
Brock Purdy threw three interceptions — all of which came in the first half — before finishing the night with 193 yards in the air and a touchdown pass.
He became the first quarterback this season to throw three interceptions in the first half of the game, and he was 1-of-8 on throws that were at least 10 yards downfield, ESPN Insights reported.
Purdy was picked off twice in the end zone on Monday night.
