With the Niners up 7-3 towards the end of the first quarter, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo evaded pressure from the Panthers to hit Kittle over the middle for a 29-yard gain. Boston, who was playing the single high and shaded over to the strong side, came across the field and put a huge hit on the Pro Bowl tight end, getting himself flagged for 15 yards in the process:
Kittle held onto the ball, however, and San Francisco would find the end zone after a 19-yard run by running back Tevin Coleman. The 49ers would eventually win the game 51-13.
Boston's hit didn't look particularly malicious. But there was a clear helmet-to-helmet hit, which is almost always going to draw a flag and, in many cases, a fine. So far this season, Boston has been hit with only two penalties.
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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.
All articles by Peter Panacy
@PeterPanacy
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Peter Panacy
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.
All articles by Peter Panacy
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