Jauan Jennings was 'this close' to hitting 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, but some fisticuffs against the Cardinals prevented that from happening.
Jauan Jennings has been the San Francisco 49ers' best wide receiver over the course of 2024.
And the former seventh-round NFL Draft pick out of Tennessee is perhaps the most physical of all Niners offensive players, too.
That combination proved costly in San Francisco's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, though, as "Third and Jauan" inched ever so close to reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his pro career.
Jennings entered Week 18 with 923 yards, already double his previous career-best tally set back in 2022 (416), needing 77 more to hit that Pro Bowl-level mark of 1,000.
Early in the game, it appeared as if backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs and the 49ers were going to do everything possible to see Jennings hit the feat. Prior to what happened next, he had a team-best seven receptions for 52 yards in the contest.
Unfortunately, a couple of post-whistle flare-ups ensured Jennings would stay below 1,000 yards on the season.
Jauan Jennings' ejection costs him shot at 1,000 yards
Near the halfway point of the second quarter at State Farm Stadium, Jennings and Cardinals defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting got into an altercation that resulted in offsetting unnecessary roughness penalties, requiring the two to be separated in an escalating fight.
That wasn't enough, though, because the two went back at it on the very next play, ending in both players receiving disqualifications and game ejections.
Jauan Jennings has been ejected for multiple personal foul penalties.
— Pikkit (@pikkitsports) January 5, 2025
He will fall 25 yards short of 1,000 receiving yards for the season.pic.twitter.com/0fD3VHSOYq
A soft call, particularly on Jennings? Perhaps. After all, Jennings is known for being a physical blocker and getting under the skin of opposing defenders.
This was yet another clear example.
However, the officiating crew likely saw the need to de-escalate the rising tensions and send a message, dismissing the two from the field and effectively ending Jennings' shot at reaching 1,000 yards.
A damned shame.
Jennings will finish 2024 with 975 yards, which is still exceptional considering what his perceived role was entering the season.