Shelby Harris Calls Out Jauan Jennings for Trash Talk During Maliek Collins Injury
Sunday’s matchup between the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers wasn’t short on tension, and things boiled over in the third quarter when Browns defensive tackle Maliek Collins went down with a knee injury. As Collins was being carted off the field at Huntington Bank Stadium, emotions were already running high - and what happened next only added fuel to the fire.
In a moment that initially looked like a show of respect, several 49ers players made their way over to Collins to offer support. Collins, a former 49er himself, has earned the respect of many around the league, and the gesture from his old teammates was a welcome one - at least on the surface.
But according to Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris, not everyone on the Niners sideline was showing sportsmanship. After the game, Harris didn’t hold back when calling out San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings for what he described as crossing a serious line with his trash talk while Collins was being carted off.
“He’s a hoe, and I want that known,” Harris said after the game. “Like, I see why he got punched in the nuts because he said some things that you should not say to another man ever.
But I don’t respect it because you say that and then run behind your offensive line. That’s some real soft sh*t.
I want that known. I see exactly why they punched him in the nuts; I’m surprised nobody’s punched him in the jaw yet.”
Harris’ frustration wasn’t just about the scoreboard - the 49ers pulled away with a 26-8 win, spoiling Shedeur Sanders’ first NFL home start - it was about the line between competitive fire and personal disrespect. According to Harris, Jennings didn’t just talk trash; he made it personal at a moment when one of Harris’ teammates was down and clearly in pain.
There was already history simmering beneath the surface. Harris’ comments referenced a previous incident involving Jennings during a Monday Night Football game against the Carolina Panthers.
In that game, Jennings was on the receiving end of a low blow from Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig, which he responded to with a retaliatory punch. That dust-up raised eyebrows at the time, and now, Harris is pointing to Jennings’ behavior as a pattern - not a one-off.
The Browns’ defense, known for its physicality and pride, clearly took issue with how Jennings handled himself. While trash talk is part of the game - and often ramps up in high-stakes matchups - there’s an unspoken code about when and where it crosses the line. For Harris and the Browns, Jennings broke that code.
It’s worth noting that the 49ers, for all their on-field dominance this season, have had a few moments where their emotional edge has gotten the best of them. This incident won’t change the standings, but it adds another chapter to what’s becoming a growing narrative around the team’s attitude and approach - especially when they’re in control of a game.
As for the Browns, they’ll regroup and move forward, but don’t be surprised if this one sticks in their memory. NFL players have long memories, especially when it comes to perceived disrespect. And if these two teams see each other again down the line - say, in the postseason - you can bet Sunday’s events will be part of the emotional backdrop.
For now, though, the story is less about the scoreboard and more about the fallout. Shelby Harris made it clear: some things are bigger than football.