NOVEMBER 26: Per NFL senior vice chairman of football & international communications Michael Signora, Moehrig’s one-game suspension has been upheld on appeal. Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks was the hearing officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.
NOVEMBER 25: The NFL has suspended Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig for one game without pay consequently of his actions in a loss to the 49ers on Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Moehrig was caught on video punching 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings below the belt.
In keeping with a league statement (via David Newton of ESPN), Moehrig’s punch violated “Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to “any act which is contrary to the commonly understood principles of sportsmanship,” including, amongst others, “throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent.”’
Moehrig will appeal the suspension, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. If the league upholds the ban, he’ll miss the Panthers’ game against the Rams on Sunday.
Jennings won’t sit out any games, meanwhile, though the league is reviewing his actions for a possible nice, Pelissero relays. He struck Moehrig’s facemask with an open hand and shoved him in retaliation before the 2 were separated following the sport.
Moehrig admitted afterward that he would “most certainly” receive a nice (via David Kaye of the Charlotte Observer). Nevertheless, he claimed Jennings provoked the attack with trash talking and “dirty stuff” after plays.
The Panthers fell to 6-6 on Monday. Their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread heading into a gathering with the 9-2 Rams, the NFC’s top seed. Going without Moehrig would make it all of the harder for Carolina to tug an upset.
After Moehrig spent the primary 4 years of his profession with the Raiders, he joined the Panthers on a three-year, $51MM contract last March. Moehrig has began in all 12 of the Panthers’ games this season while notching 81 tackles, an interception, and a sack. He’s tied with fellow Panthers safety Nick Scott for the team lead in defensive snaps. Fourth-round rookie Lathan Ransom and Demani Richardson are readily available as depth options if Moehrig misses Week 13.