Chargers' Tony Jefferson Ejected for Hit on Chiefs WR, Leads to Scuffle on Video

Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson was ejected for unnecessary roughness after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Kansas City Chiefs wideout Tyquan Thornton.

Thornton remained down on the field and injured after the play, while both teams got into a scuffle following the illegal hit.

Jefferson was also caught on cameras giving a middle finger to the Kansas City crowd, although he apologized for his actions on Monday.

"I was caught up in the moment," Jefferson told reporters. "I'm classier than that."

The ejection was slightly controversial, with some questioning how Jefferson was supposed to avoid the helmet-to-helmet contract after Thornton also dipped his head.

Jefferson registered five tackles before his ejection. The Chiefs announced that Thornton was placed in the concussion protocol following the hit.

The 25-year-old wideout had two catches for 47 yards on Sunday and now has 19 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

It was a rough day for the Chiefs on several fronts. Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn't finish the game after suffering a knee injury in the fourth quarter, and backup Gardner Minshew threw a game-sealing interception in the 16-13 loss.

That dropped the Chiefs to 6-8 on the year and officially eliminated them from playoff contention. It's possible that Mahomes won't play again this season even if the injury isn't deemed serious, given that Kansas City can't make the playoffs.

The Chargers (10-4), on the other hand, are very much in both the playoff picture and AFC West hunt at this juncture. The Denver Broncos (11-2) currently sit atop the division and the teams will close the regular season against each other.