Fights an annoyance in Jets-Redskins workout
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson shoved offensive tackle Morgan Moses after a play, fellow lineman Trent Williams came to his teammate’s defense and within seconds the multiplayer melee spilled into the crowd. And that was just day one of the joint workouts between the New York Jets and Washington Redskins.
Things were calmer on Monday after a couple of fights and a handful of skirmishes marred their first practice together on Sunday in Richmond, Virginia.
The majority of players and coaches were annoyed that fights overshadowed the benefits of the joint workout: getting to see action against another team outside of games.
Washington running back Chris Thompson, who was around when fights broke out with the Houston Texans at training camp in 2015, questioned the wisdom of bringing another team in — which the Redskins didn’t do either of the past two years.
“I think you ask around the league, I think a lot of guys will probably say they don’t really care for the joint practices just because of things like this happening,” Thompson said. “There aren’t many joint practices where you don’t have fights.”
Sunday’s fights ticked off Redskins coach Jay Gruden and Jets counterpart Todd Bowles because it took time for players to cool down and wasted practice time.
“They’re not going to get any better fighting us and we’re not going to get any better fighting them,” Bowles said. “We’re not trying to fight them. They’re not trying to fight us. If they wanted to be boxers and wrestlers, they probably would be in another sport.”
Jets receiver Terrelle Pryor raised eyebrows after practice on Monday by announcing he would not play in Thursday’s preseason game against the Redskins. Then the former Ohio State player revealed that he had suffered a broken ankle in practice in May — something not previously known publicly.
Pryor, 29, said it was a “miracle” he is on the field at all, seemingly healthy after missing most of last season with the Redskins because of a foot injury he suffered in September, then breaking the ankle in May.
“It’s amazing I’m out here,” he said. “Amazing.”
The San Francisco 49ers are bringing in Alfred Morris to provide depth at running back while they deal with injuries at the position, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
The 49ers’ top two running backs currently are injured. Jerick McKinnon suffered a calf injury in practice on Sunday and is expected to be out at least a week. His backup, Matt Breida, suffered a separated his shoulder in an exhibition opener against Dallas on Thursday and could miss the entire preseason.
Morris, 29, was a sixth-round draft pick by Washington in 2012 when Shanahan was offensive coordinator. The Florida Atlantic product rushed for 2,888 yards and 20 touchdowns his first two seasons.
New York Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley suffered a mild strain of his left hamstring during practice after catching a swing pass out of the backfield and running down the sideline. “We’ll be smart with him as we move along here,” coach Pat Shurmur said. … Chad Kelly’s solid debut in the Denver Broncos’ exhibition opener moved him past Paxton Lynch and into the top backup spot behind starting quarterback Case Keenum. “Chad has played well. He deserves the chance to be the ‘2’ right now,” coach Vance Joseph said.