The NFL didn't fine punter Mitch Wishnowsky for his hit on running back and returner Reggie Bonnafon during the second quarter of the San Francisco 49ers' 51-13 win over the Carolina Panthers last weekend. Bonnafon fielded Wishnowsky's kickoff at the 3-yard line and returned the football 36 yards. The Athletic's Matt Barrows shared the news the rookie punter wouldn't be receiving a fine for the hit.
Wishnowsky was penalized for lowering his helmet on the hit, and the Panthers took over at the 47-yard line but didn't end up scoring on the ensuing drive.
The #49ers may have put up 51 points on the #Panthers on Sunday, but this was the play (and penalty) of the game. #CARvsSF @mitchwish #49wz
PSA to kick returners, the #NFL does allow you to fair catch kickoffs. pic.twitter.com/IRditRrQbe
— Chris Wilson (@cgawilson) October 29, 2019
"He sort of lowered his head," Wishnowsky told NBC Sports Bay Area later during the week. "I wasn't trying to lead with my head or hurt him or anything like that, I felt it was really one of the only ways to stop him."
Wishnowsky would prefer not to have to make tackles on special teams but hopes to be better prepared if the situation ever presents itself again.
Added Wishnowsky: "I feel like I didn't have too much of an opportunity to do anything else. I'll have to figure something out."
The 49ers made the 27-year-old Wishnowsky a fourth-round selection out of Utah in April. His willingness to make big-hit tackles made a big display during the Niners' 2019 preseason game against the Denver Broncos:
#49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky with the big hit vs. Broncos. Yes, the punter. pic.twitter.com/oeS6O65XY3
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) August 20, 2019
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Written by:Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
