Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) hugs quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during organized team activities at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Another day, another fight at training camp. It seems like every year, there are always incidents of teammates getting into it in practice. That's exactly what happened in the Las Vegas Raiders' training camp, when star pass rusher Maxx Crosby and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins got into an altercation.
Naturally, there were a ton of questions about the team's chemistry. There were concerns that perhaps this was an indication of Crosby's continued displeasure with the Raiders. Perhaps a trade was on the way? Perhaps Cousins and Crosby just have some issues with each other that couldn't be repaired?
It seems like the initial reaction to the fight was a tad bit overblown. In the Raiders' next practice session, Crosby and Cousins seemed to be pretty cordial with each other. Crosby even initiated a handshake with the quarterback and tapped his helmet.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby greeted QB Kirk Cousins with a helmet tap and handshake at training camp.
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The altercation between Crosby and Cousins started off as most training camp incidents go: with one player taking issue with another's physicality. It's often understood that players don't play at 100% in training camp to avoid injuring their teammates. For a pass-rusher like Crosby, the Raiders star might be asked not to “finish” a sack even if he beat his man to protect the quarterback.
However, Crosby has said before that he has issues with that in practice. Before the start of the Raiders' training camp, he said, “When you get out there, and bullets are flying, I'm not thinking about not finishing the play. That's just not in my nature.” During this particular incident, the star pass rusher reportedly hit Cousins' throwing arm twice during practice. After the second hit, Cousins reportedly grabbed Crosby's jersey and exchanged words with his teammate. The two had to be broken up.
Cousins is expected to be the starting quarterback for the Raiders to start the year. At 37 years old and nursing some serious injuries, it makes sense why the Raiders quarterback got heated at Crosby. Being physical with your teammate for no reason is a dangerous game that could lead to serious consequences when the season starts.