During a joint two‑hour practice on Tuesday in Southern California, the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys saw several on‑field confrontations that threatened to derail the workout. The heat, amplified by unusually high humidity linked to an El Niño pattern, left Saints wide receiver Ronnie Bell needing medical attention.
Heat and medical precaution
Saints head coach Kellen Moore explained that Bell “just had to go inside for a little bit. He just got a little bit overheated.” After the second brawl, Bell walked to the trainer’s tent, removed his jersey and shoulder pads, and was placed on a cart. He remained alert and seated as he was taken off the field.
Multiple fights break out
The first scuffle erupted near the fans as the Cowboys offense scrimmaged against the Saints defense. Tensions later shifted to the far side of the field when Cowboys outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku confronted several Saints players. A massive scrum formed, and Saints center Erik McCoy tossed a Cowboys helmet into the air. Ezeiruaku and McCoy later exchanged punches, resulting in Ezeiruaku’s ejection for throwing blows. This marks the second time this season the linebacker has been removed for fighting; he was previously ejected in a Week 18 loss to the New York Giants for pulling an opponent’s helmet off.
Coaches respond
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team will have “a long conversation” with Ezeiruaku, noting the young player “understands he can’t hurt the football team” and emphasizing a “growth mindset.” He added that the Cowboys do not tolerate disrespect but also expect discipline to avoid penalties that could harm the team.
Saints coach Kellen Moore expressed overall satisfaction with the work completed, despite the disruptions. “Not the ideal flow of the joint practice, but we got the work that we needed,” he said. The Saints will hold a second joint session with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.
Jersey confusion adds to chaos
A miscommunication led both squads to wear white jerseys, forcing Saints staff to scramble for contrasting black tops. Linebacker Pete Werner joked about the mix‑up, noting he wore a slim‑cut No. 89 jersey instead of his usual No. 20, saying, “I actually like the number, it’s a little small, it’s kind of snug, so it felt pretty good. I felt fast.”
Injuries reported
Saints running back Alvin Kamara left practice early with a knee injury, and cornerback Quincy Riley exited after sustaining a groin injury. Coach Moore did not immediately know the severity of either injury.
Practice conditions
Temperatures hovered in the high 70s °F (around 25 °C), but the humidity made conditions feel hotter, contributing to the intensity of the two‑hour session. The practice was the first of two joint workouts scheduled for the week, with the second involving the Rams.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
