Lions RB Blount ejected for retaliatory shove

Detroit running back LeGarrette Blount was ejected early in the fourth quarter of the Lions' 30-27 loss Sunday after coming off the bench to shove San Francisco 49ers linebacker Elijah Lee in an apparent retaliatory move.

Detroit running back LeGarrette Blount was ejected early in the fourth quarter of the Lions' 30-27 loss Sunday after coming off the bench to shove San Francisco 49ers linebacker Elijah Lee in an apparent retaliatory move.

Lee had just hit Matthew Stafford near the sideline as the Lions quarterback finished an 8-yard run after a scramble. The hit by Lee was not flagged, but it happened directly in front of the Detroit sideline and appeared to upset several players, including Blount.

Blount, who had not been in on the play, came across the sideline into the field, said some words and gave a hard shove up high to Lee, who was knocked over.

Blount was seen talking with head coach Matt Patricia on the sideline immediately after before he was ejected following a convening of officials. Blount was then escorted to the locker room.

The Lions were trailing 30-13 at the time with more than 10 minutes to play. They rallied within 30-27 and got possession with just over a minute remaining before turning the ball over on downs to end the game. Blount finished with eight carries for 38 yards and one catch for minus-3 yards.

Blount was suspended for almost the entire 2009 season in college at Oregon for throwing a punch at an opposing player after a loss. He has not been suspended for on-field conduct during his NFL career, but he was suspended one game in 2015 for a substance-abuse violation.

The 31-year-old joined the Lions on a one-year deal in free agency after winning the Super Bowl each of the past two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (LII) and New England Patriots (LI). He left the Lions' opener early with a shoulder injury but was healthy enough to play Sunday.