San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir breaks up a pass intended fo New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.

A 49ers staffer might have saved San Francisco cornerback Deommodore Lenoir from losing tens of thousands of dollars with a slip of the tongue.

At the end of the third quarter, Lenoir was jostling with rookie Patriots receiver Ja'Lynn Polk as Jacoby Brissett threw the ball in the direction of the two players. While the Niners defender had a chance at catching the pass, the ball fell harmlessly to the grass. But at the end of the play, the referees threw a flag, calling Lenoir for pass interference. The cornerback........

© SFGate