SPORTS

NFL Joint Practice Erupts in Brawls, $1M in Fines

PUBLISHED Aug 22, 2026, 3:48 PM ET

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The National Football League has fined the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints five hundred thousand dollars each following multiple violent altercations during a joint training camp practice in Oxnard, California. The league office imposed the total one million dollar penalty after reviewing video footage of the session, which devolved into six separate skirmishes involving thrown punches and flying helmets. A notable incident featured Saints player Brock Rechsteiner executing a wrestling-style suplex on Cowboys safety Jalen Thompson. Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer and New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore actively discussed halting the workout early as tensions flared across multiple fields. The NFL stressed that sportsmanship and player safety during joint workouts remain a top priority, citing a pre-camp memorandum warning teams against unsportsmanlike behavior. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that the organization intends to appeal the heavy fine while also penalizing participating players.

By James Porter | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On August 15, 2023, NFL competition committee emphasized strict rules governing joint practice conduct.
On July 10, 2026, the NFL issued warning memos regarding training camp unsportsmanlike behavior.
On August 18, 2026, Cowboys and Saints held a joint training session in California.
On August 18, 2026, multiple brawls erupted across fields involving punches and thrown helmets.
On August 18, 2026, Brock Rechsteiner performed a wrestling suplex on Jalen Thompson.
On August 18, 2026, coaches discussed ending the volatile practice session early.
On August 20, 2026, league officials reviewed practice videos to assess potential team discipline.
On August 20, 2026, the NFL announced the half-million-dollar fines for each franchise.
On August 21, 2026, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced plans to appeal penalties.
In future months, NFL teams will increase caution during multi-team workouts.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Franchise owners face stricter financial oversight over team conduct.
Possible long-term US impact: Joint practices may face outright bans or tighter security measures.
Most affected groups: Cowboys and Saints players, coaching staffs, management, and fans.
What readers should prioritize: Official NFL statements and verified updates from major sports networks.