Panthers’ Tre’von Moehrig explains punch to 49ers’ Jauan Jennings’ groin
The game was essentially over. The San Francisco 49ers got the ball back with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter following a badly missed 57-yard field goal attempt by Carolina Panthers rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald.
San Francisco had an 11-point lead on Monday night at Levi’s Stadium, and the home team simply needed to run out the clock.
But after a 5-yard run by former Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, things got chippy after the whistle. Carolina safety Tre’von Moehrig — a physical enforcer in the secondary — threw a punch to 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings’ crotch before defensive end A’Shawn Robinson threw the receiver to the ground.
ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” cameras got a clear shot of Moehrig’s strike to Jennings’ groin with little context beyond a bit of pushing after the whistle.
“He was doing some extra stuff after the play, and talking crazy like he was doing something,” Moehrig said following the 20-9 prime-time loss. “So, you know, didn’t think about it — it just happened. I’ll take that one, you what I’m saying? But the next play we got right, you know what I’m saying? So, it is what it is.”
Moehrig couldn’t even try to blame the post-run strike on going for the ball, as McCaffrey, the ball-carrier, was far from Jennings and Moehrig.
Following the hit, cameras showed Jennings holding his groin. The Panthers’ 26-year-old defender said his actions were in response to Jennings’ trash talking and physicality after plays throughout the game.
“It ain’t really nothing much to it — it’s just that,” Moehrig said. “Like I said, I’ll take that one. He wanted to do his little dirty stuff, so it is what it is.”
Moehrig, who signed a three-year, $51 million deal in March, has been one of the Panthers’ most versatile defenders. He’s also gained a reputation for being physical as a tackler.
Despite that reputation, he said he’s never done anything dirty unless he was provoked. Moehrig said he didn’t have a previous history with Jennings coming into the matchup, which saw four Panthers players leave due to injury.
“Just manifested,” Moehrig said about the tension with Jennings. “Like I said, (he) wanted to do stuff after the play, talking crazy, so that’s all it is to it.”
Moehrig said a fine from the league was “most likely” coming his way. But he refused to say what Jennings said to him that led to the groin shot.
Jennings, who caught five passes for 41 yards and a touchdown, confronted Moehrig after the game. Jennings struck Moehrig in the facemask before he was pushed away by Panthers linebacker Krys Barnes.
Jennings told reporters that he went after Moehrig because of “childish behavior” by the Panthers’ defensive back.
Added Jennings: “TV is going to tell you what happened.”
Panthers coach Dave Canales had not spoken with Moehrig about the punch ahead of his postgame press conference. When asked about his reaction to the incident, Canales said that he wanted to learn more about what happened between the two players.
“I’ll get to the bottom of that,” Canales said. “I want to see what exactly happened. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Tre about that yet. As you know, we’ve just been talking to the team and wrapping up the day. But that will be a conversation that I’ll dig into.”
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was a tad more blunt about Moehrig’s actions.
“The guy took a cheap shot and hit (Jennings) in the balls,” Shanahan said. “And was real proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there and getting to the sideline.”
Quick hits
- Right guard Chandler Zavala (calf) was seen in a walking boot on his left leg following the game.
- Cornerback Corey Thornton, who replaced Jaycee Horn (concussion) in the second half, was seen wearing a soft cast around his left leg while using crutches.
- Horn, who produced two first-half interceptions off Brock Purdy throws, was seen in the locker room speaking with teammates after the game. He is now tied for the league lead in interceptions with five. Chicago Bears defensive backs Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright also have five picks apiece.
