Massive Fight Ends Eagles’ Joint Practice vs. Colts Early
By Isaiah De Los Santos
Joint practices are often a recipe for disaster, and that proved to be the case once again on Tuesday. Tension was building throughout the Eagles’ morning session against the Colts, and things finally popped off after two hits on running back Kenneth Gainwell.
Teammate Jason Kelce came to Gainwell’s defense quickly, which prompted both sidelines to clear.
Jason Kelce lays out Colts defender Zaire Franklin at the end of the play, leading to a sideline-clearing fight.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) August 22, 2023
Franklin gave Kenny Gainwell an extra pop on previous play, and when he did it to Gainwell again, Kelce reacted.
Apparently it was Indianapolis defender Zaire Franklin who was the main culprit. He put some “extra pop” on Gainwell, per ESPN’s Tim McManus, one play prior to the fight. When Franklin did the same thing again, that’s when Kelce reacted by laying him out after the play was over.
No one is surprised a fight arose, especially considering how the joint practice was already going. Known instigator Derek Barnett exchanged words with some Colts players on two separate occasions.
Yep, it's him.. Derek Barnett scores a strip sack, shoving ensued. Barnett assumes a boxer's stance, but players were separated quickly...
— Inside The Iggles (@InsideIggles) August 22, 2023
Later, Jalen Carter stripped the ball from Richardson’s hands... Colts players get heated.. Barnett (surprise!) swoops in to the rescue
Before that, A.J. Brown and Colts cornerback Kenny Moore got into it, which put players on notice that something was brewing.
We have a scuffle: A.J. Brown routes up Kenny Moore, breaking open at the top of his slant. Brown hauls in the completion from Jalen Hurts and is greeted with a hit from Julian Blackmon. Brown pops right back into Blackmon’s face and both teams run into the field.
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) August 22, 2023
These scuffles come with the territory of joint practices. These are usually some of the first reps teams are taking against opponents after a long offseason, so the competitive juices are in overdrive.
When you have a championship favorite like the Eagles participating, that only ups the ante as well. Playoff hopefuls or even rebuilding squads want to test their mettle against one of the league’s best, so they often get too caught up in making statement plays.
Philadelphia was already involved in another joint practice fight with the Browns last week. It happens when you’re on top and others are desperate to knock you off.
At the very least, we know the Eagles will already be battle-tested ahead of Week 1.
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