PHILADELPHIA — It was downright bizarre to see Eagles chief of security Dom DiSandro get into a shoving match with 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Both were ejected with 9:02 to go in the third quarter, the tussle beginning after Greenlaw body-slammed receiver DeVonta Smith on the sideline directly in front of DiSandro and Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
While several Eagles jawed, DiSandro shoved Greenlaw back and pointed at him while the linebacker pointed sharply toward him and it appeared Dallas Goedert, standing behind the sideline pile.
Greenlaw’s hand struck DiSandro in the head. He was flagged for a personal foul and ejected. Before the Eagles ran their next play, DiSandro was escorted off the field by Eagles security.
“I think it’s funny how the officials warn us during the week that they’re not taking any of the chippiness,” Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata said. “We’re like, ‘OK we’ll abide by the rules,’ and the 49ers are out there throwing all this late (stuff). I thought, damn, this is some (stuff). You just want to play ball.”
The Eagles trailed 21-6 at the time, though that quickly changed when Jalen Hurts finished a 58-yard drive with a one-yard run.
Hurts soon found his way to the medical tent, being evaluated for a concussion after getting sandwiched. Eagles backup quarterback Marcus Mariota played the next series, but Hurts was cleared to return. Hurts’ two-yard pass to Smith got the Eagles within 35-19 with 5:33 left, but he didn’t look himself on the two-point attempt as his throw was batted away.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, Deebo Samuel had scored the last two of his three TDs, and Niners receiver Jauan Jennings added a score to put the game away.
“You knew it was going to be a dirty game,” said former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who joined the 49ers in free agency. “So, we just had to give a whole team effort, and a whole D-line effort trying to stop Jalen and stuff.”
Sirianni basically averted the subject when asked about it postgame.
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The Eagles scratched Goedert, who warmed up but hasn’t played in four weeks after fracturing his forearm against the Cowboys. Goedert is a certified first down maker, as he ranked in the top 10 with 23 first down receptions when sidelined.
The Eagles also scratched linebacker Zach Cunningham (hamstring) quarterback Tanner McKee, running back Rashaad Penny and guard Sua Opeta.
The Cunningham injury is huge. The Eagles are courting free-agent linebacker Shaq Leonard, cut recently by the Colts.
Leonard has narrowed the finalists to the Eagles and the Cowboys, whom the Eagles oppose next Sunday night at AT&T Stadium. He intends to make a decision this week, per reports.
The Eagles (10-2) face challenges from the 49ers (9-3), Cowboys (9-3) and Lions (9-3) for the top seed in the NFC.
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Referee Alex Kemp had a tough contest to officiate. And that was before the history he brought to the game.
The Eagles’ only two regular season losses in 2022 came with Kemp officiating, according to NFLRefStats.com. He officiated his sixth Niners game in his last 30 assignments. The Niners went 4-1 in those games, including 3-0 on the road.
The Eagles averaged 43.5 penalty yards entering the game, sixth fewest in the league. They were assessed five penalties for 47 yards. The 49ers averaged 59.2 penalty yards per game, third most in the NFL entering the weekend. They were assessed seven penalties for 47 yards and the ejection of Greenlaw.
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Hurts became just the sixth Eagles player to produce 100 total TDs, joining quarterbacks Donovan McNabb (244, from 1999-2009), Ron Jaworski (187, 1977-86), Randall Cunningham (182, 1985-95), Norm Snead (124, 1964-70) and Carson Wentz (120, 2016-20).
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A.J. Brown contributed a team-high 114 yards on eight receptions, his seventh 100-plus receiving game.
That ties him with Terrell Owens (2004) for the most in a single season in club history.
Smith caught a season-high nine passes for 96 yards and 1 score, his third consecutive game with 95 or more receiving yards.
Source: Berkshire mont
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