SANTA CLARA, Calif. – An illegal hit by 49ers rookie defensive end Nick Bosa knocked Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill from Saturday's 27-10 playoff loss during the third quarter, inciting strong reaction from coaches and players during and after the game.
"I didn't see the hit, I just heard they said it was a cheap shot," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said, "which I think it was."
Bosa, who had two sacks on quarterback Kirk Cousins and a pass deflection, delivered a blindside blow to O'Neill as he was turned back toward Cousins during an interception by San Francisco cornerback Richard Sherman. O'Neill did not return after being evaluated for a concussion.
One Vikings player claimed Bosa wasn't ejected because of his stardom as a budding pass rusher. Bosa could incur an NFL fine for the hit on O'Neill, who was replaced by Rashod Hill.
"You just don't do that," Hill said.
Entering Saturday, O'Neill had played the second-most snaps in the Vikings offense this season (94.9%), trailing only center Garrett Bradbury. O'Neill did not miss a start during his impressive second NFL season, during which he ranked fourth among tackles allowing only 20 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
Griffen's uncertain future
Defensive end Everson Griffen, the Vikings' longest-tenured player, might have played his final game for Minnesota, as his contract is voidable based on performance benchmarks.
Griffen appeared to get emotional and cut short his news conference in the middle of an answer about moving forward, saying, "I'm done, man." Griffen, 32, doesn't have any guaranteed money left on his contract.