Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has publicly criticised San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings, wading into a growing controversy surrounding the player's conduct on the field. The incident occurred after the Browns' 26-8 defeat to the 49ers, where a sideline confrontation involving injured Browns player Maliek Collins escalated.
On-Field Confrontation Sparks Heated Exchange
The flashpoint came as Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins was being carted off the field with a quad injury. Jennings and Collins exchanged angry words during this sensitive moment, drawing the attention of Garrett and other Cleveland players. Garrett, the team's defensive leader, stepped in to separate the parties and later expressed his strong disapproval of Jennings's actions in post-game comments to reporters.
"I can't speak for how he was raised, but if you have nothing good to say, don't say something to somebody," Garrett stated. He accused Jennings of making remarks that were "demeaning and disparaging towards some of our players." Garrett described his attempt to defuse the situation, saying, "I tried to go up and ask for what the problem was, and then he started coming at me." He concluded, "I don't feel like that belongs in the game."
Teammates and Past Incidents Add Fuel to the Fire
Garrett's teammate, defensive lineman Shelby Harris, offered a far blunter assessment in the locker room. "I see why (Jennings) got punched in the nuts," Harris told journalists. He accused Jennings of saying "things that you should not say to another man ever" and criticised him for then "run[ning] behind your O-line," calling that behaviour "some real soft s***." Harris strongly implied that personal boundaries were crossed, adding as he left, "You don’t talk about people's wives and families."
This is not the first time Jennings has been at the centre of an on-field altercation this season. Just one week prior, Carolina Panthers safety Tre'von Moehrig was suspended for one game after punching Jennings in the groin during their Monday night clash. Moehrig claimed Jennings was "talking crazy" during the game, which the 49ers won 20-9. In that incident, Jennings was seen slapping Moehrig in retaliation after the low blow.
Fallout and Context for the Players Involved
Jennings, 28, caught four passes for 39 yards and a touchdown in the game against Cleveland, helping the 49ers improve their record to 9-4 as they head into a bye week. He is in the final year of a contract worth $15.4 million. Meanwhile, Myles Garrett recently signed a massive $160 million, four-year extension with the Browns in March, which includes a no-trade clause. Off the field, Garrett confirmed his relationship with Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder Chloe Kim last week.
The 49ers' next opponent after their break is the 1-11 Tennessee Titans, who also face the Cleveland Browns this coming weekend. The ongoing scrutiny of Jennings's aggressive style of play and trash-talking is likely to follow him into these matchups, keeping the spotlight firmly on the receiver's conduct.
