It wasn't the snapper who went downfield... it was the player to his right who did. That player was covered in this odd formation.
The only explanation one can offer is the official thought the receiver would come down in-bounds without the contact.
While I tend to agree in principle, its my understanding that when any such contact is in the direction a receiver is already moving and subsequently landing OOB is the result.. the pass is incomplete. That's how I would have ruled on this one.
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