San Francisco 49ers star Deommodore Lenoir couldn’t keep his frustrations in check as he resorted to a cheap shot during Saturday’s defeat.
The Niners were bounced from the NFL playoffs in humiliating fashion in a crushing 41-6 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC Divisional rout.
Amid the embarrassment, the tensions boiled over for Lenoir as he physically lashed out at one of his rivals.
The cornerback was captured losing his cool and headbutting Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the third quarter.
With the Seahawks already leading with a dominant 27-6 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the third, Lenoir was seen approaching the wide receiver and driving his helmet into his face seemingly unprovoked.
The meltdown went unflagged on the field and Seattle players didn’t move to escalate the incident.
San Francisco 49ers star Deommodore Lenoir headbutted his rival during Saturday’s game
The cornerback approached Seattle Seahawks’ wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
However, Lenoir and the Niners could still face repercussions with the NFL likely to review the incident and hand down a punishment in the form of a fine.
Lenoir still appeared to be irritated following the game, long after the Seahawks cruised to their victory, as he attempted to belittle Seattle’s dominant scoreline.
In the locker room, he claimed that the 49ers would have won by a ‘landslide’ if not for their slew of injuries.
‘To have those guys, [it would have been] a totally different game,’ he told reporters. ‘But I mean we can’t make no excuses. We had enough guys in here to get the job done.’
It wasn’t the first time that Lenoir has clashed with Smith-Njigba after he previously hit out at the wideout during the regular season.
Ahead of their Week 18 matchup earlier this month, Lenoir vowed to keep Smith-Njigba quiet, telling reporters: ‘Hopefully I get to, you know, shadow JSN. I’m ready for this. I hope he’s ready. Man-to-man coverage. That’s what I want.’
The 49ers went on to lose the crucial showdown 13-3 against the Seattle Seahawks, where a victory would have given them home field advantage for the entire postseason.
While Smith-Njigba didn’t score a touchdown, he had six receptions for 84 yards in what has been an incredible season for the wide receiver. He ends the 2025 regular campaign with 118 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns, with the Seahawks among the leading contenders to lift the Lombardi trophy.
Lenoir and the Niners went on to suffer a humiliating 41-6 defeat to the Seahawks
And when Lenoir was penalized for pass interference on Smith-Njigba in the end zone during that game, ESPN analyst Troy Aikman went in on the 49ers man.
‘He grabbed him at the top of this route. Lenoir talked about matching up with JSN. I thought it was pretty funny,’ Aikman said. ‘Lenoir hasn’t matched up with anyone all season long.’
Those comments didn’t go unnoticed by the 26-year-old Lenoir, who hit back on Instagram before hastily deleting the post.
‘Y’all think I give a f*** what Troy Aikman has to say,’ Lenoir posted on his Instagram story. ‘Clearly his eyes rollin in the back of his head when the game is on.
‘Y’all show me where 11 (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) gave me work. Post every route every matchup.’
Smith-Njigba also made sure he had a laugh at the expense of Lenoir.
When he was asked if he had seen his rival’s comments going into the game, he answered: ‘Yeah, I definitely heard it. It’s hard to respond back to all my fans.
‘But I knew that we were going to see him today and take care of business.’
