Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The 49ers’ Justin Smith was ejected from San Francisco’s Thursday night game at San Diego after he pushed an official during a scuffle withChargers TE Kris Wilson.

Smith and Wilson were jawing at each other following a play when a pair of officials tried to separate them. Smith, a starting defensive end for San Francisco, grabbed one official by the shoulder and moved him out of the way in an effort to get closer to Wilson — replays seemed to show that Smith did not necessarily know he was placing his hands on an official, but such an incident usually warrants an ejection.

Smith also received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the play.

“It was contact with a game official who was our umpire,” referee Clete Blackman told a pool reporter after the game. “The umpire had gone in to separate Smith and another player. He got them separated and Smith basically came at him, shoved him. That is deemed to be contact with an official. According to rule 12, section 3, any unnecessary contract with a game official is termed to be unneccesary roughness.

“Generally, if we deem it to be an intentional act, in any way contacting the official, the player will be disqualified.”

A 10-year NFL veteran, Smith was the 49ers’ team leader in sacks heading into Thursday with 5 1/2. He also had 54 tackles. His loss was a huge blow for the 49ers’ front, which opened the game playing well against Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ potent offense.

With the help of Smith’s penalty and ejection, the Chargers drove from their own 3 to the San Francisco 7 before settling for a field goal.

By FanHouse Staff — Tom Krasovic contributed to this report.