Titans’ A.J. Brown defends body-slam of 49ers safety Jimmie Ward

A.J. Brown had himself a night on Thursday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Tennessee Titans wideout, fresh off injured reserve, went off on the Niners defense, hauling in 11 receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown.

The San Francisco offense has a reputation of playing bully-ball against opponents. However, the Titans receiver showed that he is willing to be a force himself. That left 49ers fans a little frustrated, feeling that Brown was getting away with a lot in the Titans' 20-17 victory.

One example was Brown absolutely embarrassing Jimmie Ward, tossing the 49ers safety aside like nothing on his way to one of those 11 receptions. Plays like that left fans wondering why offensive pass interference didn't seem to be a thing during the primetime bout.

Brown explained why he doesn't believe he crossed any line on that specific play.

"Jimmie Ward, he's a great player, he's a physical player," Brown told reporters, per Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area. "As soon as I straightened up, he grabbed me. I just got him up off me. I had to play through him. I can't let him stop me from where I'm trying to go.

"I'm pretty sure 49ers fans thought that was a PI, but he grabbed me first and I do have a right to get him up off me. That's what I did and he just fell down."

While Ward wasn't able to stop Brown on that play, his 68.1 overall Pro Football Focus grade was the fourth-best among the 49ers' defensive players. Brown's 90.7 overall grade was the game's top mark.

Ward finished the night with three tackles and two passes defended, and San Francisco dropped to 8-7 on the season.