Jared Verse entered the season battling with Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner for the potential top EDGE spot in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, Verse has struggled relative to his productive 2022 season, and he was walked off the field with an injury in the first quarter against Wake Forest. What do we know about his injury?
Update 1:04 p.m. ET: Verse returned to the game from the locker room.
Latest Jared Verse Injury Update
Verse was visibly shaken up after a tackle attempt on a second-down run late in the first quarter. It first appeared that the veteran pass rusher may have hurt his arm or hand. But eyes on the ground saw something different.
FSU DE Jared Verse walking off to the locker room. He went down on one knee after a second-down play and motioned for assistance. Looked like a trainer tended briefly to his left cheek/under eye, then carried his helmet as they walked to locker room.
— Aaron Beard (@aaronbeardap) October 28, 2023
College football injuries are difficult. There is no injury report like the NFL, and teams are not required to be particularly forthcoming with the extent or even existence of injuries.
In-game injuries are no different. Although the broadcast does its best to update on such affairs, we often go a long time without knowing exactly what is going on with players.
Verse’s Sliding Draft Stock
There is no denying that Verse is an impressive NFL Draft prospect. However, his disappointing campaign in 2023 has done little to highlight his strengths as a player, although it has put a magnifying glass on his weaknesses.
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Verse is explosive and twitchy. He’s a strong edge-setter with long arms and more than enough athleticism to be a weapon in pursuit. He has a nice cross-chop and can convert speed to power with his long levers.
But his lack of flexibility hinders his ceiling. “Bend” is arguably the most important physical trait that a pass rusher can possess. Unfortunately, Verse possesses tightness in his ankles. His athleticism and strength more than make up for it as a player worthy of first-round consideration. However, he projects more as a Montez Sweat or Jermaine Johnson-type than a truly elite pass rusher at the next level.
