The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints were each fined $500,000 for fights that broke out during their joint practice Tuesday, the league confirmed Thursday.
The NFL's competition committee, which has emphasized sportsmanship in recent years, sent memos to teams in July reminding them that coaches and players are held to the highest standards of professionalism. The memo stated that fighting can result in loss of practices and individual or team fines.
Several fights broke out between the two teams during the session. The officials even kicked out Cowboys pass-rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku for throwing a punch - the second time that's happened during training camp - according to The Dallas Morning News' Joseph Hoyt.
The fighting apparently got so out of hand that Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and Saints head coach Kellen Moore discussed ending practice early. However, the two teams ultimately finished the session.
Not sure how much longer this practice will go. Another fight between the Cowboys and Saints. pic.twitter.com/hJ2sMVGeOv
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) August 18, 2026
Schottenheimer said it was hard to gauge how his team performed during the joint practices because of the clashes between the squads. He compared the experience to being in charge of "Fight Club."
"Nobody wants this," Schottenheimer said. "We want to get the work in. I thought it settled down, and it was very chippy early on, but it was unfortunate. Our football team needs this work, and overall, I was disappointed in the work today because I didn't think we got enough good work."
The open practice took place in Oxnard, California. New Orleans is set to take on the Los Angeles Rams in its second preseason game Saturday, while Dallas will travel to Glendale to face off against the Arizona Cardinals later that day.
The Saints and Cowboys will meet again in their final preseason game Aug. 28.
