Jauan Jennings pushes Tre’von Moehrig in face mask after 49ers vs. Panthers (0:30)
Jauan Jennings and Tre’von Moehrig get into a heated scuffle after the 49ers defeat the Panthers on Monday Night Football. (0:30)
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Nick WagonerNov 25, 2025, 01:30 AM ET
- Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN’s coverage of the Niners’ 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick’s protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam’s subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team’s relocation and stadium saga.
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 mask.
The two players were quickly separated, with Panthers linebacker Krys Barnes and 49ers senior director of player engagement Austin Moss II intervening.
Late in the game, television cameras showed Moehrig delivering a punch to Jennings’ 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.
San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Moehrig’s move was a «cheap shot.»
«I was really proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there and getting to the sideline,» Shanahan said.
Jennings said he didn’t expect Moehrig’s punch during the game, but acknowledged it was likely because of his penchant for playing through — and sometimes past — the whistle.
«That was just out of nowhere,» Jennings said. «I think it’s probably just like I was saying, just the history of me playing ball. I play hard. I’m physically stronger than a lot of DBs out there and a lot of things happen in between the whistles. With me at least.»
As Jennings suspected, Moehrig and the Panthers took exception to Jennings’ physical blocking style. Jennings was ejected from last season’s finale against the 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 the 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.
