Jerry Jones Plans to Punish Cowboys Players For Joint Practice Fights With Saints

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones isn't happy about what transpired during the practice with the Saints and fines could be coming for players.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The NFL levied a huge fine on both the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints for their countless brawls during the joint practice on Tuesday, but players could now face punishments from the team for their actions, owner Jerry Jones said.

The NFL announced on Thursday that it was hitting the Saints and Cowboys with a fine of $500,000 each for what was an inexcusable showing earlier in the week.

Of course, Dallas and New Orleans got into several scuffles during the session, with some counts reaching as high as 10 in what will go down as one of the most heated joint practices in NFL history.

"NFL fined the Cowboys and Saints $500,000 each for what it called 'the actions that took place at the joint practice between the teams earlier this week,'" ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote.

The fine is consistent with the NFL's emphasis on sportsmanship in recent years, which also extends to behavior at joint practices. Knowing that, it's hard to argue against the league's decision.

While there were no individual fines for players from the league, they are not out of the woods yet.

Jerry Jones plans to fine players

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks at training camp opening ceremonies at River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made it quite clear he plans on hitting players with fines if they were involved in the fights, according to The Athletic's Jon Machota.

Jones made the statement when asked about second-year edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was one of the players caught throwing punches on video.

"I haven't confirmed where (Ezeiruaku) is in the situation, but the players that are involved in it have the kind of infractions that they're fining the club for certainly will receive fines," Jones revealed.

While the fights made for some great entertainment and memes, Jones isn't taking the situation as a whole as a laughing matter.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku (41) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

"Without any humor at all, this is a serious matter and it needs to be taken that way by everybody associated at the club level, right up through the top," Jones said.

Jones' view is consistent with head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who has a strict policy against throwing punches at practice, something Ezeiruku has already seen this offseason after he managed to get himself booted out of an earlier practice.

While Ezeiraku is a clear candidate for a fine given the video proof of his punches, it remains to be seen who else will be punished.

Cornerback Caelen Carson is another player who was clearly seen on video scrapping with a Saints player, but it didn't appear he did anything other than grab the helmet of the guy he squared off with.

Chances are any player that was caught throwing a punch will get a fine, but what the bar is for a punishment beyond that isn't clear.

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