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NFL Announces Official Punishment for Two 49ers Players — Shanahan Addresses the Situations and Signals Roster Decisions That Could Reshape San Francisco in 2026

San Francisco, California – The NFL has officially announced disciplinary actions stemming from the Divisional Round loss, and the San Francisco 49ers are directly affected. Two defensive players, Deommodore Lenoir and Dee Winters, were fined for infractions committed during the matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

According to the NFL’s Gameday Accountability Report, Lenoir received the larger fine. He was fined $20,944 for unnecessary roughness after using his helmet to initiate contact at the 10:05 mark of the third quarter. The league ruled the action a violation of player safety standards.

Winters was also fined for unnecessary roughness, though to a lesser extent. The 49ers linebacker received a $5,907 fine for a hip-drop tackle that occurred at 4:01 of the third quarter. The hip-drop technique has been under increased scrutiny by the NFL due to its elevated injury risk to offensive players.

While the fines marked the final disciplinary fallout from a disappointing end to the 49ers’ 2025 season, the spotlight quickly shifted to the response from head coach Kyle Shanahan, who addressed the issue directly and framed it as a turning point rather than an isolated incident.

“I’ve had conversations with both of them. What happened is a lesson for the entire team,” Shanahan said. “The important thing isn’t the punishment, it’s how we respond afterward and how we build this roster moving forward. If we want to go further, we have to be more balanced, more disciplined, and more unpredictable. Players who put themselves above the team won’t have a place in the system I’m building.”

The blunt message was widely interpreted as Shanahan’s strongest stance since the season ended. Rather than focusing solely on individual penalties, the head coach is clearly resetting the organizational standard for discipline and accountability with 2026 positioned as a pivotal year.

From a roster-construction standpoint, Shanahan and the 49ers’ front office have already identified their primary priorities. On offense, the offensive line is expected to undergo significant changes, aimed at providing more consistent protection for Brock Purdy and establishing long-term stability beyond reliance on individual stars. Defensively, the team must also identify a replacement for Robert Saleh, with an emphasis on maintaining physicality while reducing costly mental and disciplinary mistakes.

The offensive philosophy is also set for refinement. Christian McCaffrey remains a foundational piece, but Shanahan has made it clear that the 49ers cannot continue operating as a one-man offense if they hope to sustain success and mitigate injury risk over a full season.

The NFL has handed down its punishments. For Kyle Shanahan, however, this moment represents something deeper — the starting point of a broader cultural and roster reset that could redefine the San Francisco 49ers in 2026 and beyond.

🔥 FROM JACKSONVILLE ICON TO IMMORTAL: Jimmy Smith Enters the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Cementing a Legacy That Defined an Era
Jacksonville, Florida – January , 2026 – Jimmy Smith’s name is now forever etched among football’s immortals. The legendary wide receiver of the Jacksonville Jaguars has officially been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — a moment Jaguars fans have long awaited. For a franchise that was still building its identity, Smith’s induction is more than just a personal achievement. It’s the recognition of a player who reshaped Jacksonville’s passing offense and became a symbol of consistency and excellence throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Smith’s career was never about the spotlight — it was about impact. Drafted in 1995, Smith entered a Jaguars team that was on the rise, searching for its place in the NFL. What followed was one of the most productive and consistent careers in franchise history. Over his 11 seasons in Jacksonville, Smith became the team’s all-time leader in receptions (862), yards (12,287), and touchdowns (67), all while playing for a small-market team that was often overlooked. But the numbers tell only part of the story. Smith embodied the heart of Jacksonville’s offense during the Tom Coughlin era. He was a true game-changer — a reliable, versatile receiver who could do it all. Whether it was a quick slant or a deep route down the sideline, Smith had the ability to make plays that put the Jaguars’ offense on the map. He consistently delivered in clutch moments and established himself as one of the premier wide receivers of the 1990s and 2000s. “Jimmy was the guy who made everything click,” a former teammate once said. “You knew if you needed a big play, Jimmy would come through.” Smith’s career was also marked by his perseverance and consistency. A 5-time Pro Bowler (1996-2000), he was consistently among the league’s best. In fact, during his prime, he ranked second in receptions and first in yards in the 1990s and 2000s, trailing only Marvin Harrison. His impact on the Jaguars’ passing game cannot be overstated — he helped define the team’s offensive identity during the franchise’s formative years. Although Smith was a nominee and semifinalist for the Hall of Fame in 2026, his induction was long overdue. Playing in a small-market city like Jacksonville meant he wasn’t always in the national spotlight, but his on-field achievements and consistent production spoke for themselves. Smith was one of the most underrated wide receivers of his generation and a key part of Jacksonville’s early success. For Jacksonville, Smith’s induction carries profound significance. Before the team had its modern-day stars, Jimmy Smith was the face of the Jaguars’ offense. He represented hard work, dedication, and the ability to perform at the highest level, even when the world wasn’t always paying attention. As Jimmy Smith takes his rightful place in Canton, his legacy is undeniable. He wasn’t part of a dynasty, but he was one of the most respected, consistent, and feared wide receivers the game has ever seen. Jimmy Smith didn’t just play football.He redefined it. And now, his name lives forever — exactly where it belongs.