Rams see red after Cowboys DT throws equipment intern to the ground

The LA Rams and the Dallas Cowboys are participating in their second joint practice and scrimmage this off-season. And unlike the past session, tempers are flaring. I have to admit, there is a very good reason for that. A Cowboys defensive tackle, Albert Huggins, crossed the line at the end of a practice drill and hurled a Rams equipment intern to the ground.

And the Rams players and coaches saw red and let him have it.

Ah, the furor of joint practices. As long as the teams are meeting for the first time in a joint practice session, players can govern their emotions. But after a joint practice and scrimmage, and a game in which the Rams claimed an impressive come-from-behind victory, some Cowboys players were less than thrilled to host the visiting Rams for a second time.

The Cowboys had a solid and professional joint practice earlier this off-season. But that was not the case in this session. See for yourself:

The perpetrator immediately drew an angry response from Rams HC Sean McVay and OL Coach Ryan Wendell. Per the video, other Rams offensive linemen who reacted to the cheap shot included OL Grant Miller (#63), Logan Bruss (#60), and Beaux Limmer (#50).

Per a social media description of the drill by The Athletics Jourdan Rodrigue, the Rams equipment intern was participating in a drill as a 'simulated quarterback,' and the nature of these types of drills is such that nobody is supposed to touch the guy, let alone shove him to the ground. Clearly, DT Albert Huggins either didn't get the memo or chose to take out his frustration by picking on the littlest guy on the field.

Huggins did play for the Cowboys in a losing effort on Sunday, recording two tackles.

The practice did resume, but not before coaches paused the drill to ensure that the equipment intern was okay. Former ESPN NFL analyst Ed Werder unloaded on that bonehead maneuver. (see above). But he had plenty more to say about the incident.

Former ESPN NFL analyst Ed Werder unloads on Huggins

Werder was clearly upset by Huggins' actions. He had this to say:

When asked why the equipment intern was on the football field, he elaborated:

Ultimately, nobody was impressed or happy with Albert Huggins. Some Cowboys fans are already proclaiming that the team needs to release him today. It's hard to argue in Huggins' defense.

The Rams hope to escape this joint practice and scrimmage healthy, and with solid performances from starters and key rotational players. But plays like this are the catalyst for brawls, and as you can see, the reaction of Rams players to confront Huggins was immediate and justified.

Football is a physical sport. But it is intended to be played by the players, not the interns. I'm not sure how the Cowboys will discipline Huggins after this play, but I would not be the least bit surprised to learn he is no longer with the team.

And don't look for him to be added to the Rams roster if that happens.

Thanks for reading.