Sports

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers thought they had a comeback win when the quarterback threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth with 2:21 left last Thursday. He leaped in the air and pumped his fist as if he was 20 years younger.

Offensive tackle Broderick Jones then tackled Rodgers from behind in his exuberance, drawing Rodgers' ire.

Rodgers joked Wednesday that the only time he was hit in the 33-31 loss to the Bengals was "Broderick['s tackle], so I'm feeling pretty good."

"I texted him," Rodgers said, via Jim Wexell of the team website. "I said, 'Hey, man, I love your energy. I love everything you're about. But also, I'm 41, OK? You can't be out there tackling me like that.'

"But I love Brod. We had a couple laughs about it, and I told him I'm getting him next. He better watch his back."

Jones laughed it off this week, joking that he isn't ruling out a similar celebration in the future.

"We're still joking about it," Jones said. "Yeah, he was a little mad, but it's all right. It's football. It gets intense and all. But it's no love lost. It's just the energy that he brings and that I bring. He told me, 'Don't lose the fire,' and I told him the same. We shall see on Sunday after he throws another touchdown. I might tackle him again."

Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw was suspended for his actions following Denver's win over the Giants on Sunday. Greenlaw approached and made comments to referee Brad Allen.

On Tuesday, Greenlaw's appeal was denied.

The video showed that, unlike Greenlaw, Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad made contact with Allen. Strnad was not suspended.

Per a league source, Strnad likely will be fined.

It's a confusing outcome. For decades, the line has involved contact with officials. It almost always sparks an ejection. Even Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton got sent to the showers in 1980 for grabbing an official’s arm.

So what was it about Greenlaw's behavior that sparked the decision to suspend him? Coincidentally, NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent will appear on Thursday's PFT Live. The interview was scheduled several weeks ago, but the Greenlaw situation has definitely been added to the list of must-ask questions.

49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy again was a limited participant in practice. He was limited all of last week and ruled out against the Falcons.

Purdy, who has turf toe, has not had a full practice since Sept. 26.

He initially injured his toe in Week 1 and missed two weeks before returning for Week 4. He missed every practice in Weeks 5-6.

Mac Jones, who was a full participant on Wednesday with knee and oblique injuries, has started five games and has a 4-1 record.

The 49ers did not have center Jake Brendel (hamstring), defensive end Yetus Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring), defensive end Bryce Huff (hamstring), cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (quad), running back Christian McCaffrey (rest), wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) or left tackle Trent Williams (rest) at Wednesday's practice.

Pearsall has not played since Week 4.

Offensive tackle Spencer Burford (knee), linebacker Luke Gifford (hamstring), cornerback Renardo Green (toe) and cornerback Upton Stout (ankle) were limited.

Burford had his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday.