A Missed Milestone and Unexpected Ejection

Ja’uan Jennings came so close to achieving his first 1,000-yard season, but a bizarre turn of events in Week 18 forced him to miss out on the milestone. The San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver was ejected in the second quarter of their season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, just 25 yards shy of the coveted 1,000-yard mark. The ejection came after a series of personal foul calls related to scuffles with two Cardinals players, sparked by his aggressive blocking style.

The Ejection Controversy

The circumstances surrounding Jennings’ ejection were confusing, leaving both fans and coaches scratching their heads. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed disbelief, admitting that he had no clear understanding of why Jennings was thrown out of the game. He explained, “They were competing,” referring to Jennings’ altercation with Arizona’s Sean Murphy-Bunting, which led to his ejection. Shanahan noted that Jennings is known for blocking through the whistle on every play, and typically, players are ejected for throwing punches—not something Jennings had done, at least according to his account.

“I didn’t see one, and he didn’t tell me that he threw a punch,” Shanahan said. “It wasn’t an animated discussion, I was just asking him if he threw a punch and he was adamant that he didn’t.” Shanahan’s surprise was evident, as the coach believed that Jennings’ ejection was unjustified.

NFL’s Stance: No Fine for Jennings

The NFL seemed to agree with Shanahan’s assessment. After reviewing the situation, the league chose not to fine Jennings for his role in the incidents. This decision came as a relief to the wide receiver, who had already faced a hefty fine earlier in the season for a similar altercation. In contrast, both Cardinals players involved in the scuffles were penalized. Arizona’s Starling Thomas was fined $5,083 for his part in the first altercation, while Murphy-Bunting received a significantly larger fine of $11,817 for slinging Jennings to the ground in the second scuffle—a move that resulted in an official being injured and both players being ejected.

Another Close Call for Jennings

Had Jennings been fined, it would have marked a second fine in as many weeks. Just the week before, in a game against the Detroit Lions, Jennings had been fined $11,817 for a similar incident involving Detroit cornerback Terrion Arnold. Fortunately for Jennings, he managed to avoid further financial penalties, allowing him to stay focused on his game. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the 49ers in terms of fines. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk received a fine of $16,619 for using his helmet in the first quarter of the game.

A Season to Build On

Despite the ejection and missed opportunity for a 1,000-yard season, Jennings has proven his worth as an invaluable asset to the 49ers. The wide receiver’s aggressive playstyle and ability to contribute to the team in big moments show that he is just getting started. With a new season on the horizon, it’s clear that Jennings is determined to achieve his goals and perhaps even break more records in the future. The ejection and fines are now just a footnote in what has been a remarkable season, and with the support of his coaches and the NFL recognizing the injustice, Jennings remains focused on what lies ahead.