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Carolina Panthers safety Tre’Von Moehrig was suspended for one game for hitting San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the groin late in the team’s 20-9 loss, the NFL announced Tuesday.
Late in the fourth quarter and at the end of a running play, Moehrig hit Jennings in the groin. Jennings doubled over in pain and backed away.
At the end of the game, the 49ers receiver looked for Moehrig and threw a punch to the defensive back’s head. Jennings had to be pulled out by numerous teammates and staff members.
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Tre’Von Moehrig (7) of the Carolina Panthers during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 19, 2025. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Jennings said after the match that he was “just reacting to childish behavior” and said the punch came out of nowhere.
“It came out of nowhere,” Jennings said. “It’s probably just the story of me playing ball. I play hard. I’m physically stronger than a lot of DBs. At least a lot of things happen between the whistle with me.”
Moehrig said the groin shot was a response to physical play throughout the game.
49ERS WIDE RECEIVER HITS PANTHERS PLAYER POST-GAME AFTER GROIN SHOT
Jauan Jennings #15 of the San Francisco 49ers is separated from Tre’von Moehrig #7 of the Carolina Panthers after the game at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
“He was pushing me in the back and everything, so, you know. That was really it,” Moehrig said. “There’s really not much to it. It was just that, you know what I’m saying? Like I said, I’ll take that one. He wanted to do some dirty stuff, so… It is what it is, man.”
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said he was proud of the wide receiver for not reacting immediately after being hit.
“(Moehrig) took a low shot and hit it in the balls, and I was really proud of Jauan for not losing his mind and putting him on the sidelines,” Shanahan said after the match in a press conference.
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The NFL said Moehrig violated “Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to ‘any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,’ including others, ‘throwing a punch, or forearm, or kicking an opponent.’
Moehrig is appealing his suspension, according to ESPN. If his appeal is denied, he will miss the team’s next game against the red-hot Los Angeles Rams.
Jennings will be fined for his punch but not suspended, according to NFL Network. The 49ers could ill afford to lose Jennings as they enter the final stretch of the season at 8-4 and in the midst of a heated playoff race in the NFC.
