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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings took a couple of swings at Carolina Panthers’ safety Tre’von Moehrig during the postgame handshake line following the Niners’ Monday Night Football win. The altercation stemmed from what 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan later described as a “cheap shot” by Moehrig to Jennings’ groin area during game action.
The incident occurred after San Francisco’s sloppy 20-9 victory over Carolina in Week 12. Jennings – who finished with five catches, 41 yards and a touchdown – approached Moehrig during the customary postgame handshakes and took several swipes at his facemask before players from both teams intervened.
Shanahan didn’t hesitate to defend his player after the game.
“Yeah the guy took a cheap shot and hit him in the balls,” Shanahan told reporters in his postgame press conference. “I was real proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there.”
Game footage appears to support Shanahan’s account, showing Moehrig clearly striking Jennings in the groin area during a play. The moment wasn’t flagged by officials at the time, but the replay evidence leaves little room for interpretation.
This is NUTS⬇️
“Yeah the guy took a cheap shot and hit him in the balls. I was real proud of Jauan for not losing his mind out there.”
Kyle Shanahan fully backs Jauan Jennings after he was hit with a cheap shot in a sensitive area at the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/pGzBhg8zd3
— KNBR (@KNBR) November 25, 2025
The postgame confrontation added an unexpected wrinkle to what was already a messy game. San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy struggled mightily throughout the contest, throwing three interceptions in the first half alone – yet somehow the 49ers still emerged victorious.
Despite Purdy’s turnover troubles, the Panthers couldn’t capitalize. Carolina QB Bryce Young delivered an even more disappointing performance, managing just 169 passing yards while throwing one touchdown against two interceptions. His costly endzone interception completely shifted the game’s momentum in San Francisco’s favor.
With the win, the 49ers improved to 8-4 on the season, keeping their playoff hopes firmly intact despite the uneven performance.
