Wide receiver Jauan Jennings was ejected from the San Francisco 49ers’ game against the Arizona Cardinals on January 5, 2025, after a confrontation with Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting on the field. Both players got into a fight in the end zone during the second quarter, which resulted in their disqualification from the game.
With just 77 yards left to go, Jennings was aiming for his first 1,000-yard receiving season at the time of his expulsion. His early departure left him 25 yards short of his total of 52 yards on seven receptions. Thinking back on the incident, Jennings said, “I think it was a mistake.” He disagreed with the choice.
The 49ers found it difficult to keep up with the Cardinals, who were already battling with injuries to several important players, including quarterback Brock Purdy, who was replaced for this game by Josh Dobbs. For 326 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, Dobbs completed 26 of 40 passes. The 49ers lost to the Cardinals 47–24, despite Jennings’ contributions before he was expelled.
Jennings had his most successful season to date in 2024, finishing with 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns over 15 games.
In addition to impacting his personal milestone, his ejection cost the 49ers a crucial offensive weapon in their season-ending game.
The fight and accompanying ejection serve as a reminder of how fierce and tough NFL divisional games can be. The 49ers will need to be disciplined and composed in close games as they prepare for the summer. Jennings’ goal will be to build on his outstanding season while making sure his on-field behavior complies with league and team regulations.