More and more NFL teams are deciding that joint workouts should not last more than one day | News, Sports, Jobs

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) catches a pass during an NFL football practice at The Bolt in El Segundo, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. The Rams and Chargers are conducting joint practices. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

(AP) — The first week of joint practices at NFL training camps included a player being carted off the field and two teams being fined $200,000 each for excessive fighting.

These events have given credence to the idea that joint practice sessions need not last more than one day, an idea that is gaining popularity. After nearly 80% of 2023 joint practices lasted two days, more than two-thirds of this year’s sessions are just one day long.

“One, for me, is enough” New York Jets coach Robert Saleh said so.

The argument against two-day training sessions is that the second day is often harder and increases the chance of injury.

Atlanta wide receiver Rondale Moore was carted off the field with a leg injury Wednesday as the Falcons practiced against the Miami Dolphins for a second straight day. Also Wednesday, the NFL fined the New York Giants and Detroit Lions $200,000 each for several fights that spanned two days of practice between them.

Last month, the NFL sent out a memo stating that fights and unprofessional conduct would not be tolerated at joint practices. Packers coach Matt LaFleur noted earlier this offseason that “Sometimes it turns into a wrestling match or an MMA fight” when joint practices extend to a second day.

“Whenever I’ve had a joint practice, the first day is a bit rough and then the second day ends in a fight.” Packers running back Josh Jacobs said.

The problems with this week’s Falcons-Dolphins and Giants-Lions joint practices weren’t necessarily a result of both lasting two days.

Moore suffered an injury that was not the result of physical contact, so it easily could have happened if the Falcons had been practicing on their own. Much of the fighting between the Giants and Lions, including a scuffle that injured Detroit cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, happened on their first day of practice instead of the second.

NFL teams are allowed to hold joint practices for up to four days during training camp, and they can be split up in any way possible. For example, the Los Angeles Rams are holding four separate one-day sessions against three different teams.

The Rams held their first joint workout with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday and will meet again on Aug. 14. The Rams practiced with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday and will have a workout with the Houston Texans on Aug. 22.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said after Sunday’s practice that he likes to limit joint practices to one day.

“I think there will probably be less fighting, which is good.” said Stafford. “You know, the second day is when everyone gets a little more excited and gets going.”

It has also been when some notable injuries have occurred.

Saleh’s Jets were in their second day of joint workouts with the Packers three years ago when defensive end Carl Lawson tore his Achilles tendon and safety Zane Lewis injured his knee, keeping both players out for the season.

Saleh shortened the Jets’ two joint two-day practices scheduled last year to one day each. The Jets practiced against the Washington Commanders on Thursday and will have one-day sessions with the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 15 and the Giants on Aug. 21.

“It is very rare for a football player to have to do so much exercise and so much intensity on consecutive days,” Saleh said. “So not only are you exposing our guys to injury on Day 2, but there’s also very little production because they’re just seeing red and they’re fighting and they’re avoiding their techniques.”

That was on full display during the Packers’ joint practices with the New England Patriots last year. After the first day passed without any major incidents, three fights broke out about five minutes into the second joint workout.

New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen explained why fights are more likely to occur on day two.

“You have the first day practice” Allen said. “One or the other team will feel like they beat the other team. Those coaches will yell at their players. Their players will get angry, and that’s how things happen, right?”

Some do not see the need for joint practices at all.

The reigning Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders are the only teams that will not have joint practices this year.

“I think the way we do it, I think we go fast, we practice hard, we do those things with each other and guys challenge each other,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “And I don’t think there’s a better way to do it, if your guys are willing to do it.”

Packers safety Xavier McKinney said he doesn’t like joint practices because there are too many fights and the action on the field is “Everything is vanilla” Since neither team wants to reveal their full playbook, McKinney said any joint practices that do take place should last no more than a day.

“Once you see the first practice, you say, ‘Okay, you’ve seen me. I’ve seen you. We don’t need to keep doing this.’” McKinney said.

But others see joint practices as a valuable method of preseason preparation.

“I thought the two days were effective,” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​said Wednesday. “It’s very important to see different aspects, just seeing different nickel pressures, corner pressures, coverage structures, fronts. It creates a lot of good conversations. The meeting time after these practices is very productive, to talk about everything.”