Johnathan Abram is just pulling Deebo’s Samuel’s leg, but there’s no joking here.
Playoff games have a tendency of getting a bit chippy, and playoff games between division rivals even more so. In the third quarter of Saturday’s Seahawks-49ers wild card matchup, Seattle safety Johnathan Abram once again put his less-than stellar reputation at the forefront with a questionable tackle.
Following a third-down catch and run by 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, Abram put a little bit extra on the tackle, appearing to grab and twist Samuel’s ankle while getting up, much to the displeasure of the receiver.
Is anyone harder to tackle than Deebo Samuel? @19problemz#SuperWildCard #FTTB
📺: #SEAvsSF on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/96NMtTe9OX pic.twitter.com/ONItGgvhRJ— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2023
Deebo wanted a flag after this play.
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/o4Dr5kM2Xp
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 14, 2023
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It’s worth noting that Samuel is back on the field for his second game after missing time with left ankle and MCL sprains, so it makes sense why Samuel would be more than a bit peeved.
Players on both sides would engage in a small scuffle, and Samuel would gingerly walk to the sideline following the play.
Things got a little chippy on the field 😲 pic.twitter.com/mxtqehJfbI
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@sportingnews) January 14, 2023
He would return, though, without any seeming hinderance on the leg. No flags were thrown, either.
The 49ers would score soon after, and Abrams’ reputation as a “dirty” player would rise to the top of the discussion chain in the aftermath.
Dirty play by Johnathan Abram there
— Raiders Report Mitchell Renz (@MitchellRenz365) January 14, 2023
Jonathan Abram with some dirty ass stuff right there…. Loser behavior
— Will Parkinson (@Willpa11) January 14, 2023
Deebo Samuel is down after that outrageous play and in pain – insane that there was nothing called on Jon Abram for blatantly twisting his ankle after the play
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) January 14, 2023
Jonathan Abram with a dirty play, never would have guessed it
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) January 14, 2023
The 49ers would take the lead and recover a few minutes later, surely leading to the whole “ball don’t lie” thing.