GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jauan Jennings left the field in Sunday’s 49ers season finale without reaching the 1,000-yard receiving mark, and without his 49ers helmet and uniform.
Jennings was ejected in the second quarter after tussling in the end zone with Cardinals’ cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who also was disqualified for his actions.
Needing 77 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in his four seasons, Jennings came 25 yards shy of that milestone. He collected 52 yards on seven catches and 10 targets from Josh Dobbs, who made his first 49ers start in place of the injured Brock Purdy.
Jennings exited the State Farm Stadium field just as Dobbs plunged in for a 1-yard touchdown run. Jake Moody tied the score at 10 by making the ensuing point-after kick, after previously missing a 47-yard field-goal attempt in the first quarter to resume his sophomore slump.
Jennings had his helmet off and was talking to coach Kyle Shanahan on the field a few yards from the 49ers’ sideline, before the officials announced the ejections. Shanahan then appeared to appeal to referee Shawn Smith, to no avail.
Exactly how did Jennings’ breakout season (77 catches, 975 yards, six touchdowns) come to an end?
As Dobbs ran right for a 6-yard gain to the Cardinals’ 2-yard line, Jennings and Murphy-Bunting were locked into a shoving match on the end zone’s left side. As they fought to the ground, two officials rushed in to stop the fracas, as did right guard Dominick Puni.
On the previous play, Jennings and cornerback Starling Thomas drew offsetting personal foul penalties.
On the play before that, Jennings made his final reception, for 10 yards to the Cardinals’ 17-yard line.
The last-place 49ers did not hide their intentions of getting Jennings to join George Kittle as a 1,000-yard receiver this season. He had a 2-yard catch on the game’s first snap. Then came catches of 12, 12, 7, 5, and 4 yards before the 10-yard finale.
Murphy-Bunting intercepted Dobbs’ fifth target to Jennings at the 49ers’ 45-yard line on the penultimate play of the first quarter.
Although Jennings’ ejection came on an eventual game-tying touchdown drive, the Cardinals answered with a touchdown of their own, a 2-yard pass from Kyler Murray to Trey McBride with 1:51 until halftime.
