49ers Rookie Benched for Disciplinary Violation — Hasn’t Played a Single Snap After Kyle Shanahan’s Tough Message on Standards
Santa Clara, CA – October 31, 2025
The San Francisco 49ers’ seventh-round rookie wide receiver has yet to see the field this season — and head coach Kyle Shanahan just made it clear why.
Despite impressing during offseason workouts with his speed and versatility, the young wideout has remained on the practice squad since Week 1, with Shanahan citing discipline and execution as the main reasons behind the decision.
“He’s got the talent, no question,” Shanahan said on Friday. “But in San Francisco, execution is everything. He missed reads, blew assignments, and didn’t master the details. Around here, you don’t earn snaps with potential — you earn them by playing the 49ers way.”
The rookie in question is Junior Bergen, a seventh-round pick (No. 252 overall) from Montana, who signed a four-year rookie contract shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. Bergen flashed promise as a slot receiver and return specialist during training camp, drawing early comparisons to former 49ers gadget players known for their versatility and intelligence.
However, insiders from the team’s practice sessions revealed that Bergen struggled to learn route progressions, execute assignments precisely, and adjust to the pace and complexity of Shanahan’s offense — a system renowned for demanding timing, precision, and mental sharpness.
The 49ers waived Bergen on August 26, 2025, only to re-sign him to the practice squad the following day — a move Shanahan described as part of the development process rather than a punishment.
“He’s learning,” Shanahan said. “But at this level, talent isn’t enough. You have to prove every day that you understand your job and that your teammates can trust you to execute it.”
Bergen has since worked closely with receivers coach Leonard Hankerson, focusing on improving his route discipline and timing. Despite being benched from active play, team sources say the 23-year-old has shown steady progress and remains a long-term project for the 49ers’ offense.
Still, Shanahan’s message was unmistakable: in San Francisco, consistency and preparation are non-negotiable. “This organization is built on accountability,” he said. “Every player here — whether it’s a Pro Bowler or a rookie — is expected to uphold that standard. Until you do, you sit.”
For Junior Bergen, the lesson is clear. The path back to the field won’t come from talent alone — it will come from mastering the details and earning the right to play the
49ers way.
“Calling 911. It’s a Crime Scene”: NFL Fans Call Out Ravens for Aggressively Attacking Dolphins Players’ Necks
The Ravens put on an epic show against Miami Dolphins during TNF. However, the scoreboard wasn’t the only thing showing their aggressiveness. Folks exploded with accusations that Baltimore’s defense was constantly targeting Miami players’ necks with dangerous, reckless tackles.
Lamar Jackson returned from hamstring injury and scored four touchdowns, leading the Ravens to their biggest win of the season. But the Week 9 victory is written to come with some epic controversy.
Multiple clips circulated online showing Ravens defenders wrapping up Dolphins ball carriers by the neck. The majority of the fans weren’t buying it as accidental contact.
Ravens Player Accused of Intentionally Targeting Dolphins’ Necks During Tackle
Rookie safety Malaki Starks grabbed Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington dangerously by the neck to drag him down. The tackle inadvertently knocked Miami running back Ollie Gordon II out of the game with an ankle injury.
Then All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton used a similar neck-grabbing technique on Washington later in the game. The hits led to outrage from fans watching at home.
One frustrated fan didn’t hold back, noting, “I’m calling 911. It’s a Crime Scene.”
Another predicted, “Let him do that to Patrick Mahomes he will be banned by the NFL.” No offense to this comment, as there are numerous examples available where referees went easy on the Chiefs.
A third observer noticed a disturbing pattern, penning, “I did notice that too. I think it was almost 3 tackles in a row all different plays.”
The complaints extended beyond just Thursday’s game. A fourth user who caught last week’s Ravens-Bears matchup claimed, “They hit a couple bears in head last week with no helmet to helmet calls too…”
Not everyone blamed the defense, though. One sarcastic fan remarked, “Ravens defense was dogshit for 7 weeks. Then daddy Lamar shows up and they figured out how to play football again.”
Despite the viral clips and fan outrage, both teams were only called for five penalties total on the day. No ejections. No major flags. Just hard hits that the refs didn’t stop.
Some Defending Ravens Say Their Height Explains the Hits
However, not every football fan thought Baltimore was playing dirty. Many on social media pointed to simple physics as the explanation.
Hamilton stands 6’4″ tall, making him one of the tallest safeties in the NFL. When he tackles shorter offensive players, the height mismatch creates dangerous optics.
One X user broke it down bluntly, “What happens when a 6’4 demon meets a 5’9 minny mouse.”
Another defended, “Stop it. Kyle is not a dirty player and he’s like 6’4 and the offensive player was a munchkin. What normally would have been a waist or a torso, was a neck. Blame genetics.”
