Carolina Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig on Monday night drew the ire of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings for punching Jennings below the belt toward the end of the 49ers’ 20-9 win.
Now Moehrig has drawn the ire of the NFL.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Tuesday reported Moehrig has been handed a one-game suspension for punching Jennings. Carolina’s next opponent is the Los Angeles Rams. He will have the opportunity to appeal.
As for Jennings it doesn’t appear a suspension is on its way after he hit Moehrig and incited a small kerfuffle in the immediate aftermath of Monday’s game. Rapoport noted that Jennings will only be evaluated for a potential fine, which should bring a sigh of relief for the 49ers who face a very tough Cleveland Browns defense in Week 13.
Despite the postgame altercation, head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t seem bothered by his wide receiver retaliating for the hit below the belt, and went so far as to praise Jennings for not drawing a flag during the game.
“Yeah, the guy took a cheap shot and hit him (below the belt),” Shanahan said. “I was real proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there and getting to the sideline.”
Jennings dealt with injuries early in the year and struggled to produce with any consistency, but as he’s gotten healthy he’s been one of their most reliable pass catchers. He has at least four receptions in each of his last six games. He has at least 40 receiving yards in his last five games, and he has a touchdown in three of his last four games. A suspension would have derailed all of the positive momentum he’s gained after his rocky start to the season.
The 49ers have Tuesday off, and they’ll begin their Week 13 preparations Wednesday.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL punishes Panthers player who hit Jauan Jennings below the belt
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
