HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby threw multiple punches at center Will Putnam during practice Thursday. Afterward, Crosby ripped off Putnam’s helmet and tossed it on the field. While Crosby and Putnam were separated by teammates, coaches and staffers, they exchanged a few choice words before the squad moved on with practice.
The beginning of the skirmish actually didn’t involve Crosby at all. Putnam and linebacker Robert Spillane got tied up on a play during an 11-on-11 drill, and there was some hand fighting as they went to separate from one another. That’s when Crosby and several others got involved. After some more talking, Crosby took a few swings at Putnam.
Practice fights among teammates are common in the NFL, but this was the first the Raiders have had this summer. It was the highlight of an otherwise uneventful practice, mostly a padless walk-through ahead of the team’s second preseason game Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys in Las Vegas.
Crosby is a star and arguably the Raiders’ best player, but Putnam is a little-known undrafted free agent who was a four-year starter at Clemson. He has been working as a backup center behind starter Andre James and received some praise from coach Antonio Pierce on Wednesday.
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While Crosby is one of the Raiders’ leaders, he often plays the role of agitator at practice. He talks a lot of trash and can get physical, even with the typically off-limits quarterbacks.
“I’m not out there trying to hurt anybody or put anybody at risk, but I’m also getting ready to go out there and be the best player in the world,” Crosby said Tuesday. “That’s my goal and that’s my standard. So every detail matters: reaching for the ball, winning my rushes, finishing my rushes. I’m not going to win the first half of the rush and then stop.
“Sometimes I do push the line a little bit, but that’s just who I am. Coach (Pierce) says it: I’m not going to stop, and he’s not going to slow me down. I’ve just got to be smart at times. So, yeah, there were times in camp where he would limit me in team reps because I’m being a little wild, but that’s who I am. That’s what got me here.”
All in all, a practice skirmish isn’t a big deal. It’s unlikely that it’s something Crosby, Putnam or anyone else on the team will hold onto.
“The guys poke fun at me and they get irritated sometimes and some of ’em want to fight me sometimes, but at the end of the day, it’s love,” Crosby said. “I’m just out there trying to be the best version of myself.”
🔴📽️ Live: Maxx Crosby, Davante Adams, and Tre Tucker address the media during 2024 Training Camp. https://t.co/vIMADO2rff
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) August 14, 2024
Observations
• The Raiders had several players who didn’t suit up Wednesday, but the most notable was receiver Davante Adams. Other absentees included offensive tackle Andrus Peat, guard Cody Whitehair and cornerback Jakorian Bennett.
Adams missed five practices and the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings to be with his wife Devanne ahead of the birth of their son before returning to action Tuesday. Although he was back in the fold, he made it clear he didn’t intend to play against the Cowboys this week.
“If I’m choosing, I’m not playing,” Adams said Tuesday.
The Raiders played all of their healthy starters against the Vikings and plan to do the same against the Cowboys. When asked about Adams’ comments on Wednesday, Pierce doubled down on that mandate.
“If you’re healthy, you’ll play,” Pierce said.
Adams practiced Wednesday but didn’t participate on Thursday. He was still present at practice in street clothes and didn’t have any visible injuries, but it’s unclear if he’ll be good to go against the Cowboys.
• Guard Jackson Powers-Johnson practiced for the second time Thursday after being activated from the physically unable to perform list on Wednesday. Powers-Johnson had been out since offseason team activities due to a concussion. He has been wearing a red, non-contact jersey since returning.
Powers-Johnson was drafted to be the starter at left guard, but it’s been Whitehair holding down those duties while he’s been out. Even though Whitehair missed practice Thursday, Powers-Johnson didn’t participate in team drills. Powers-Johnson suffered multiple concussions in college, and the Raiders are bringing him along slowly as he works his way back from another. Pierce said it’s unlikely he’ll be ready to start by Week 1.
• Offensive tackle Thayer Munford returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session due to an injury to his right hand. He also hurt his left hand during practice last month, but he can’t afford to miss much time as he has found himself in an unexpected competition with rookie DJ Glaze for the starting job at right tackle. Their respective performances will be something to monitor against the Cowboys as Glaze continues to gain steam.
“The only word I can say for (Glaze) is consistent,” Pierce said Wednesday. “He’s going to get beat. He’s a rookie. He’s going to go through some growing pains. But (it’s been) very impressive just to see his growth and development. (And), more importantly, how consistent he’s been each and every day. That’s hard for a rookie to do.”
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(Photo of Crosby: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
