TAMPA, Fla. \u2013 Baker Mayfield got in the middle of a scuffle and injured All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs went onto the field on a crutch to join his teammates.<\/p>\n
Welcome to joint practices.<\/p>\n
Players get an opportunity to hit opposing teams, which sometimes can lead to fighting. This was a minor tussle between the Buccaneers and Titans on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody\u2019s in the skirmish,\u201d Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. \u201cNobody wants to throw a punch. It\u2019s not necessary. We\u2019re not trying to do that right there. They\u2019re not trying to do it as well. If it\u2019s hot and you got pads on, it\u2019s going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, a former All-Pro linebacker and two-time Coach of the Year in Tennessee, jumped into a pile of players and came out with a bloodied cheek at New England\u2019s practice with the Washington Commanders on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
But the main purpose of joint sessions is to give coaches a better way to evaluate starters in a more competitive environment than preseason games. Teams don\u2019t want future opponents to see much of their playbook in exhibitions and most coaches prefer to keep key starters out of harm\u2019s way so facing opponents within a controlled setting has become a priority for most teams.<\/p>\n
Overall, 29 of 32 NFL teams are holding joint practices this summer, up from 27 in 2023 and 23 in 2022. Only the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, and New Orleans Saints aren\u2019t doing them.<\/p>\n