INGLEWOOD — After a historic performance in the 49ers' heartbreaking 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Jauan Jennings snuck out of San Francisco's SoFi Stadium locker room without a word.
The 49ers wide receiver caught 11 of his 12 targets for 175 yards and three touchdowns, making him just the third player in franchise history to achieve the feat, joining George Kittle (2023) and Jerry Rice (1995).
The last #49ers player to record three receiving touchdowns
— Jennifer Lee Chan - threads @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) September 22, 2024
TE George Kittle - Oct. 8, 2023 vs. Dallas
WR Jerry Rice - Jan. 29, 1995 vs. San Diego Chargers
And now...
WR Jauan Jennings - Sept. 22, 2024 vs. LA Rams
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Jennings was seen in the locker room after the game, but he did not want to discuss his performance, frustrated by the loss -- and rightfully so.
The 49ers could not get out of their own way in a winnable game over a decimated Rams team that had placed 11 players on injured reserve before Sunday’s kickoff. Now, Jennings' breakout performance becomes a standout, but inconsequential, statistic in an NFC West loss.
Mistakes in all phases of the game -- including dropped passes, missed field goals and botched coverage that allowed explosive Rams plays -- all contributed to the loss that diminished the significance of Jennings' performance.
Jennings also became just the second player in franchise history to register 10 or more receptions, 150 or more receiving yards and three or more receiving TDs in a single game, joining Rice, who accomplished the feat three times.
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While it's not a complete surprise that the fourth-year pro dodged reporters in the locker room, another 49ers player who was unwilling to face the music could be seen as less acceptable.
Ronnie Bell was the first San Francisco player to leave the locker room, walking out while camera crews and reporters waited for entry outside of the double doors. The second-year pro dropped a pass from quarterback Brock Purdy on a second-and-10 with just over one minute left in the game.
A completion of the ball, which hit Bell in the chest, would have given the 49ers a first down and put them in very makeable field-goal range. Instead, Purdy scrambled for 2 yards on the next play, forcing a 49ers punt.
A 38-yard punt return put the Rams in range of a game-winning field goal, which gave them their first lead of the day.
After the game, Purdy explained the incomplete pass and shared how he will continue to support his teammate.
“[Bell] had a double move, and it was the look we wanted,” Purdy said. “He got his guy, and by the time I got to him, I figured I would just give him a chance, and I don’t know if I had enough juice on it, from where I was at in the pocket.
“Obviously, I think I could have thrown him a better ball, but he’s a young guy, and I love him. We all got Ronnie’s back, so we are going to continue to need him and build him up, and we are all in this together. It’s a team sport, so it’s not one player or one play here. It’s all of them all put together.”
We all got Ronnie's back."
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 23, 2024
Purdy believes he could have given Bell a better ball on his late drop pic.twitter.com/MAMNDtnu3C
The 49ers will take a hard look at the game film before preparing for their Week 4 matchup with the New England Patriots.
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