Raiders quarterback and pass rusher clash during practice

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby got into a brief scuffle late in a Friday practice in Henderson, Nevada, before teammates stepped in to separate them. Cousins stayed on the field to finish the drive, while Crosby was sent to the sideline.

"Those are two leaders of our team going at it, so that is part of camp," coach Klint Kubiak said. "Obviously, if you fight in a game and throw a punch in game, then you’re out of the game. So we’ve got to be smart and treat it like a game." According to reports, the confrontation began after Crosby tipped a pass, causing an incompletion, and Cousins reacted physically toward the larger defender. Tight end Michael Mayer noted that such incidents can occur during padded practice sessions and emphasized the need for players to defend themselves while avoiding penalties. "We don’t want to be throwing punches, but I think on any padded day of camp, there’s going to be some tussles," Mayer said. "He’s always had that edge since the first day I met him when he came in here. I don’t want him getting thrown out. I don’t want him getting a flag. Nothing like that, but you’ve got to be able to defend yourself."