Earlier Tuesday, Mike Florio reported that a 49ers spokesman told him that the NFL has not contacted the team yet regarding an investigation into what happened during a sideline collision between Seahawks player Jeremy Lane and a member of the 49ers organization during the NFC Championship Game.
During his Tuesday press conference, coach Jim Harbaugh said he thought that there had been contact between the league and General Manager Trent Baalke about the play. Harbaugh hasn’t spoken to the league, but offered his testimony based on being right next to the collision and seeing it happen.
Harbaugh called it a “bang bang” play and said that he didn’t think there was any malice intended on the part of the 49ers employee, who he said was not a player but would not further identify during the press conference.
“You don’t know which way to go other than to hold your ground and protect yourself.” Harbaugh said, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. “His reaction would have been mine as well. I would welcome to be called and say the same thing on the record.”
Barrows reports that the 49ers employee is believed to be an assistant strength coach.