Los Angeles – The New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams finished a disciplined joint practice Thursday at the Rams’ training complex in Woodland Hills, marking a stark contrast to the brawl‑filled session the Saints had with the Dallas Cowboys two days earlier.
Coaches stress focus and respect
Saints head coach Kellen Moore addressed his players before the workout, reminding them to stay out of non‑football conflict with the Rams. “We acknowledged some of the things that happened on Tuesday,” Moore said, noting that both teams appeared focused and the practice proceeded without incident.
Moore also referenced a prior joint practice the Saints held a week earlier with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which likewise concluded without disciplinary issues.
Practice details and injuries
The session lasted just over an hour, ending early because the Saints felt they had completed enough work after two joint practices in three days. The team dealt with a few minor injuries: offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, defensive tackle John Ridgeway, and cornerback Dalys Beanum each left the field, though none appeared serious.
Moore described the workload as “big‑time” and praised the players for handling the back‑to‑back joint practices, calling it a “peak point of training camp.”
On‑field action
The first‑team units exchanged 45 plays, while second‑stringers ran 25 plays featuring Rams quarterbacks Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson. Simpson threw an interception that Saints safety TJ Hall returned.
Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Davante Adams worked together against the Saints’ first‑team defense. Stafford connected with Adams on a long pass that resulted in a touchdown, highlighting the growing chemistry between the two after limited practice time together last season due to Stafford’s injury limitations.
Coaches’ comments
Rams head coach Sean McVay praised the veteran duo, saying, “They’ve got a great feel. It was a really good day for those guys to connect against tight, sticky coverage. They’re outstanding players and it’s fun to watch.”
McVay also addressed the future of defensive tackle Aaron Donald, noting the former star is planning additional workouts before deciding whether to end his 2½‑year retirement. “I would love to have all this figured out, but he’s earned the right to take his time,” McVay said.
Looking ahead
The Saints and Rams will meet again Saturday at SoFi Stadium for their second preseason game. Both teams view the joint practices as valuable preparation, even if the schedule is not ideal for back‑to‑back sessions.
With the NFL fine of $500,000 each for the earlier Cowboys‑Saints brawl still in effect, the calm Thursday practice demonstrates the league’s emphasis on player safety and sportsmanship as teams gear up for the upcoming regular season.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
