Redskins, Texans end joint practice after fights break out

The joint portion of the final practice involving the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans came to an end Saturday when a series of fights broke out.

The teams had just started working against each other when the first skirmish occurred. When more followed on subsequent plays, and on both fields, the coaches decided to break the teams apart and each team worked on its own field for the rest of the session.

The change in plans caused Redskins Coach Jay Gruden to agree the day was somewhat wasted.

“Initially we had a couple on our field on the offensive field, and I was just going to cut that period out and have everybody go to the side, let everybody cool down and finish practice,” Gruden said, “but then the other one broke out on the other field and it wasn’t worth it. Injuries take place.

“Obviously, it wasn’t a good situation, but we missed an opportunity to get better today against a good team.”

Belichick links injuries to title run

The list of injured New England Patriots players has grown to 24, and Coach Bill Belichick sees a link to being Super Bowl champs.

Belichick says consistently going deep in the playoffs means players have less recovery time and that leads to more players missing time in training camp.

Center Bryan Stork, rookie defensive tackle Malcolm Brown and running

back LeGarrette Blount didn’t suit up Saturday after being injured a day earlier. Later, running back Travaris Cadet walked off the field with a trainer and kicked the ground in disgust.

The Patriots are so thin at receiver it’s unlikely they could have scrimmaged during their third straight workout in full pads. The Patriots host Green Bay in their exhibition opener Thursday.

Etc.

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr is returning to Texas for surgery on a broken right hand, and All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant missed practice Saturday because of a strained ham- string. . . . Ravens Coach John Harbaugh said defensive end Brent Urban will need surgery for a torn biceps. The second-year defensive lineman hurt his biceps on Thursday. He could sit out three months because of the injury. . . . The Kansas City Chiefs have waived wide receiver Armon Binns and linebacker Sage Harold and signed offensive tackle Anthony Dima and

wide receiver Adam Drake in a series of moves.