Cleveland Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins is being punished by the NFL for taunting during the Week 17 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The league announced Saturday that Jenkins was fined $7,903 for unsportsmanlike conduct/taunting in the first quarter with 4 minutes remaining.
The taunting happened against Pittsburgh tight end Darnell Washington. Jenkins was flagged on the play and the infraction gave Pittsburgh a fresh set of downs. No Steelers were fined out of the game.
The Browns (4-12) pulled the upset on the Steelers (9-7), but Myles Garrett was held sackless, remaining one sack shy of the NFL record.
Rayshawn Jenkins Praised by Assistant Coach
Jenkins was recently praised by Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, who also coached Jenkins at the University of Miami.
“Just the vet presence, the OG presence that we needed in that room,” Banda told reporters Friday.
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 23: Rayshawn Jenkins #5 of the Cleveland Browns looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
“Going into this year, we were going to have replace…with losing Rod (Mcleod). He’s been amazing. It’s been a blessing for me, just coaching him his senior years 10 years ago to now. It’s been one of those fun things in coaching that I’ll never forget.
“He’s also brought a physical presence to our defense. Every time we’ve asked Ray to step in and be a factor, he’s done it.”
Cam Heyward Drew a Flag But Not a Fine
Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward was not be fined for his roughing the passer penalty on Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders, with the NFL ruling the hit was legal despite a flag being thrown during the game.
The play occurred early in the second half, when Heyward used his signature bull rush to collapse the pocket but landed on Sanders, resulting in a penalty for violating the NFL’s “body weight” rule.
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Cameron Heyward #97 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after drawing a penalty during the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 28, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Heyward addressed the decision on his Not Just Football podcast, taking the ruling in stride.
“Can’t bitch about it,” Heyward said. “I’m not going to get every call I want in this game. He still had the ball when I wrapped up. Sometimes, you just don’t see it. Refs are put in a hard spot. It’s hard to dictate what is and what isn’t. You kinda gotta move on in those situations.”
Myles Garrett Chasing History Sunday
Star pass rusher Garrett could break the single-season sack record held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt by taking down Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Garrett alleged the Steelers intentionally game planned to stop Garrett more so than trying to win the game. Burrow said don’t expect that from him.
“I’m not gonna go out of my way to not let him get the record… I’m gonna go play football,” Burrow said Wednesday. “There are going to be situations where a sack is the best of the bad outcomes of that play.”
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