What was supposed to be a productive joint practice between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys quickly turned chaotic Tuesday as tensions boiled over into multiple fights.
At least six separate altercations broke out during the session, disrupting practice and drawing the attention of both coaching staffs. Players exchanged punches and, in one incident, helmets were thrown as tempers continued to rise.
One of the most bizarre moments came when Saints tight end Brock Rechsteiner, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner, became involved in a confrontation with Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson. Rechsteiner took Thompson to the ground with a wrestling style suplex, adding an unusual twist to an already heated practice.
Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku was sent to the locker room after throwing a punch during one of the altercations. It was the second time during training camp that Ezeiruaku had been removed from practice because of a fight.
The repeated confrontations became such a distraction that Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints coach Kellen Moore discussed the possibility of ending practice early. Both ultimately allowed the session to continue, but Schottenheimer expressed disappointment with how much valuable work was lost.
Despite the chaos, there were positive moments on the field, including a strong matchup between Saints receiver Chris Olave and Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs. Still, the fights dominated the day’s headlines and served as a reminder of how quickly the intensity of joint practices can cross the line.
