Verse Faults Browns Teammates for Ignoring Headfirst Slam

Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse said he was deeply upset that teammates did not appear to react when Steelers guard Mason McCormick slammed him headfirst during a first-quarter extra-point attempt in Pittsburgh’s 27-6 win. The play drew a personal-foul penalty, and Verse said it could have caused a serious injury; he contrasted the response with his own angry reaction to a similar play involving teammate Derek Barnett. Browns players said they did not see the incident as it happened. Verse has since discussed the incident with teammates, acknowledging that his pregame trash talk helped fuel the rivalry, that he should have prepared them for his comments, and that he could have handled the situation better.