Training camps throughout the league end this week, and joint practices have taken the place of preseason games for many starters. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings want to ensure that their star players don’t get hurt in meaningless games, so they’re treating the joint practices like preseason games.
It makes sense, given that there are only three preseason games now. Teams have to cull their roster from 90 players to 53, 46 of whom will dress on Sunday. And the Vikings would have a difficult time competing next year if Justin Jefferson, Kirk Cousins, or Danielle Hunter got hurt before the season started.
But Mike Florio pointed out an interesting wrinkle with joint practices. Guys are getting into fights. The Vikings have avoided them so far, but it’s happening in other camps. Surprisingly, the NFL isn’t regulating it. “The NFL pays no attention to this issue of fighting in joint practices,” he said on KFAN’s 9 To Noon with Paul Allen. “It’s a problem that is happening in multiple camps with multiple teams.”
Florio’s entire breakdown of this is fascinating and informative. Listen to the entire segment below.
