Cowboys and Saints clash in heated joint practice with punches and helmet tosses
A joint training session between the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints in Oxnard erupted into a full-scale brawl, featuring punches, helmet throws and a wrestling-style suplex.
In Oxnard, California, a joint training drill involving the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints descended into a violent altercation, with multiple skirmishes culminating in a brawl. Saints tight end Brock Rechsteiner, son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner, executed a suplex on Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson, and several players exchanged punches. Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was removed after officials observed him punching, and cornerback Caelen Carson was also captured throwing a punch on video.
Saints center Erik McCoy launched a Cowboys player's helmet, which was later retrieved and tossed by Ezeiruaku. Both coaches expressed disappointment, describing the episode as a "fight club" scenario that detracted from the practice's purpose. No further joint session is planned, and the Saints will travel to a separate practice with the Rams later in the week.
Why it matters
The incident highlights discipline concerns during NFL joint practices that are meant to be controlled training environments.
In this story
