NFL Catchup: Cowboys-Saints Fights, A Christian McCaffrey Update & Deals Were Made

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The regular season hasn’t arrived yet, but things are already getting feisty around the NFL. Tuesday featured another practice fight, but this one might have been the biggest yet in training camp. There were reportedly at least six altercations at Tuesday’s Dallas Cowboys-New Orleans Saints joint practices. Elsewhere, Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza took another step forward in his progression, and the New York Giants made a notable addition. Here’s what you should know about what happened in the NFL on Tuesday. The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints held a joint training camp practice on Tuesday that featured at least six separate physical altercations between players, according to reporters in attendance. Incidents included a punch thrown at Dallas running back Javonte Williams, edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku throwing punches during a confrontation, and New Orleans player Brock Rechsteiner executing a suplex on a Cowboys defender. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed disappointment with the practice disruptions following the session. “A little chippy,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “Not the way we like to do business. Got to be better, but I’ve got to look at the film. We’re certainly not going to take s— from anybody, but again, it was chippy on both sides. Like I’ve said, I want our guys to play on the edge without going over the edge.” Neither team has announced disciplinary action ahead of their Aug. 28 preseason game. The Saints take on the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, while the Cowboys face the Arizona Cardinals later that day. The Christian McCaffrey injury saga hasn’t slowed down. But 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan put rumors of a contract-related holdout to rest as the star running back has been out of practice for over a week, reiterating that McCaffrey is dealing with hamstring tightness. Shanahan clarified that McCaffrey would have practiced on Tuesday had it not been for the joint session with the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s another clear sign that his current muscle tightness is being handled with routine caution and remains a minimal concern heading into the season. McCaffrey is coming off a season with his heaviest rushing workload since entering the league out of Stanford in 2017. He logged a career-high 311 carries for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns, while adding 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven scores. With McCaffrey limited to just four games in 2024 following an Achilles injury, any report of tightness naturally raises red flags. However, all signs point toward him being ready for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Kirk Cousins has taken the majority of first-string offensive reps for the Las Vegas Raiders throughout training camp, but rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza received first-team work during Tuesday joint practice with the Houston Texans. Head coach Klint Kubiak stated after practice that he intended to evaluate Mendoza against starting opposition. “I wanted to see him going against the Texans’ 1s,” Kubiak told reporers. “That was our plan all along. I thought he did some good things. I look forward to watching the tape. He and his teammates, all these young guys that were playing, we’ve got to get them up to speed real quick.” Cousins addressed the allocation of snaps following the practice session. “He did a great job,” Cousins told reporters. “He’s well-prepared, made some great plays and he’s continuing to do what he’s supposed to do and pick up the system quickly.” Mendoza detailed his experience taking reps against the Houston defense. “I believe overall, it was a positive day. There were plays that I loved and plays that I wish I had back, but in reality, that’s a lie. I wish I didn’t have them back because it’s a growing experience,” Mendoza told reporters. “It’s practice, and this is what I love, and it’s a beautiful day to play football. I’m so happy, I have so many things to learn from this.” The New York Giants signed free-agent running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal on Tuesday. Harris spent last season with the Los Angeles Chargers before suffering a season-ending Achilles tear. He enters the Giants backfield fully healthy. The addition of Harris comes after the Giants waived running back Dante Miller with an injury designation. Miller hurt his groin in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to miss time. “I think this is a good opportunity here. I think the style of play that they’re heading towards is the style of play that aligns with me,” Harris told reporters. In a corresponding move, the Giants plan to release veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. After pass rusher Za’Darius Smith worked out for the Cleveland Browns last week with a signing expected, he visited the Atlanta Falcons on Monday and officially signed a one-year deal on Tuesday morning, according to multiple reports. Smith is reuniting with Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, whom he played under for two seasons in Cleveland. With pass rusher James Pearce Jr. set to serve an eight-game suspension, Stefanski turned to a familiar face to help fill the void. With Pearce Jr. facing a suspension and Jalon Walker out for the entire 2026 season due to a training camp knee injury, Atlanta’s edge depth is severely tested. Smith could immediately play a heavy role alongside Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari, who are listed as the Falcons’ starting edge rushers on their unofficial depth chart. Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler who has bounced around the league over his 11-year NFL career. He has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and now the Falcons. Now that Smith to the Falcons is a done deal, all eyes shift towards whether he can put together a full season of health. His best season came in 2020 with the Packers, where he earned All-Pro honors with 52 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.