It's no secret the 49ers and Seahawks don't get along very well, but it's the 49ers who have dominated the rivalry with five wins over the last two seasons alone. Frustration boiled over for one of Seattle's stars on Sunday.
Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf, who was seen slamming his helmet earlier in the game, was ejected in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss after a scuffle with 49ers LB Fred Warner.
Metcalf got off to a hot start with Drew Lock at quarterback on Sunday, catching a touchdown pass on Seattle's opening drive, but he was held without a catch the rest of the day. That was likely part of the frustration for Metcalf, along with the reality of fourth consecutive loss for a Seahawks team that has struggled to hang with tough opponents this season.
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Here's a closer look at what exactly Metcalf did to warrant an ejection.
Why was D.K. Metcalf ejected?
Metcalf first drew a flag when he tackled Warner following an interception of Lock late in the fourth quarter.
Metcalf had his arms around Warner when the All-Pro linebacker flipped the ball to Dre Greenlaw, and the Seahawks wideout didn't relent, grabbing Warner by the hips to slam him to the ground. Warner than pushed Metcalf into the ground, and Metcalf retaliated by grabbing Warner's facemask with both hands.
Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has been ejected for this interaction with 49ers LB Fred Warner. pic.twitter.com/NX1SJXvp5n
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) December 10, 2023
No punches were thrown, but Metcalf found himself on the wrong end of a shove by 49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir. Lenoir ran into the scrum just to shove Metcalf and was ejected as well.
DK Metcalf and Deommodore Lenoir have been ejected from the game pic.twitter.com/CZ91L5lK2A
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 10, 2023
The scuffle wasn't Metcalf's first emotional moment of the game, nor was it his first run-in with the rulebook this season. He has already been hit with five fines this season, and another is likely coming as a result of the ejection.
Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has been fined five times this season for $65,563. He is certain to receive a hefty fine today's events and ejection.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) December 11, 2023
The Seahawks will need Metcalf to keep his emotions in check if they want to hold onto their fading playoff hopes. Seattle has lost five of its last six to drop to 6-7, and the road doesn't get any easier with the Eagles coming to town next Monday night. Given Metcalf didn't throw a punch, it doesn't seem likely he will face a suspension for that contest.
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