Several altercations broke out Tuesday during a joint practice between the New Orleans Saints and the Dallas Cowboys. At least six scuffles caused chaos on the practice field. The NFL has now imposed fines.

It was supposed to be an intense preseason preparation, but the joint practice between the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys spiraled increasingly out of control. On Tuesday, at least six separate physical altercations broke out between players from both teams.

Things got particularly heated between the Saints’ offense and the Cowboys’ defense. Several scuffles escalated into larger groups that shoved their way along the sideline. Saints center Erik McCoy threw his helmet during one altercation; in another, he lost his helmet and exchanged blows with Cowboys linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku.

Ezeiruaku was subsequently forced to leave the session—the second time already during this preseason. Earlier, he had thrown a punch during practice and had been sent to the locker room. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke with the linebacker afterward and announced they would have another conversation. “Donovan is a very smart young man, and he understands that he can’t hurt the team,” Schottenheimer said.

Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson also acknowledged that the situation was touch-and-go: “We got pretty close to the line. I think both sides did.” However, he also framed the incidents as an expression of competitive spirit.

BAH GAWD THAT& 39;S MUSIC! Saints and Cowboys in another huge fight.

Wait for the slam at 0:17: pic.twitter.com/hDt71jfnbC

— NOF (@nofnetwork) August 18, 2026

Joint NFL practice ended peacefully

Despite the incidents, the situation calmed down toward the end of the session. The Saints’ offense and the Cowboys’ defense completed an 11-on-11 drill as well as a red-zone session without further incidents.

Looking back, Schottenheimer described the practice as “a little chippy” and announced that he would take a closer look at the video footage. “We’re not going to take any nonsense from anyone, but it was just heated on both sides. I want our guys to play at the limit without crossing the line.”

After practice, the Cowboys coach gave a lengthy speech to his team. He declined to disclose any details.

NFL reviews video footage and imposes fines

He later confirmed that the league had also requested the video footage. Both teams were fined $500,000.

Before training camps began, a league committee had made fair play—including during joint practices—a priority.

A memo was sent out reminding the teams of their responsibility to prevent unsportsmanlike conduct during joint practices in order to reduce the risk of injury.

The two teams will face off again in the preseason: The Cowboys and Saints will play in Arlington on August 28.