Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera warned his team about keeping its composure for the two-day joint practices against the Baltimore Ravens. Unfortunately, the team didn’t heed the warning as the Commanders and Ravens exchanged unpleasantries throughout Tuesday’s practice.
The highlighted skirmish of the day involved Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace. The two couldn’t stop their tussling after the whistle had blown. After Forbes punched the ball away, Wallace swung at the defensive back, and Forbes retaliated with a jab to Wallace’s facemask. Video captured the incident.
That wasn’t the only brush-up. Shortly after, tension brewed again. Ravens star tight end Mark Andrews slammed Commanders cornerback Danny Johnson to the ground. That sparked another scuffle, also caught on tape.
Andrews continued chirping with Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne after the teams were separated. At that point, officials and coaches pulled both teams together to get control of the situation.
There was also a moment when Commanders center Nick Gates and Ravens defensive lineman Odafe Oweh exchanged punches, according to Sam Fortier of The Washington Post.
It’s summer, and it’s hot outside. Both teams have been hitting and tussling with teammates for the first two weeks of training camp. The joint practice allows the two to hit someone else.
For most starters, the joint practices will be the closest they get to game action for the remainder of the preseason. Therefore, the atmosphere ratcheted up from the start of Tuesday’s practice.
The Commanders and Ravens were trying to set the tone in Tuesday’s practice. Neither team budged, which makes Wednesday’s practice more exciting to watch.
