Jared Verse Criticizes Browns Teammates After Steelers Hit

Verse said he was upset that Browns players did not react when Steelers guard Mason McCormick cut his legs out from under him during an extra-point try. Verse had jumped as Chris Boswell kicked, and the tackle sent him down close to landing on his head. McCormick was penalized on the play.

Verse said the incident raised concerns beyond the game, fearing an injury could have ended his season or had a lasting effect on his life. He became even angrier after Derek Barnett took what Verse viewed as a similar hit on the next field-goal attempt, because he saw it as an attack on a teammate.

Verse also accepted some responsibility for the tension. Before the game, he had criticized Pittsburgh as overly physical and said he intended to make the city belong to Cleveland, but acknowledged he had not prepared his teammates for those remarks. He said the team needed to improve together.

Pittsburgh won the Week 8 matchup 27-6, pushing Cleveland out of first place in the AFC North. Browns coach Todd Monken urged players to let their performance speak for them. Verse, 26, joined Cleveland in the trade involving Myles Garrett. His next opportunity to respond on the field is against the New Orleans Saints.