Full Breakdown
Raiders Hold Cousins, Crosby Out of Practice After Friday Scuffle
8/8/2026, 10:09:05 PM
Core Incident
During the Las Vegas Raiders’ eighth training-camp practice on Friday, quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby clashed. Crosby struck Cousins’ arm twice; after the second hit Cousins grabbed Crosby’s jersey and exchanged words before teammates intervened. The coaching staff imposed discipline the following day.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Klint Kubiak addressed the matter after Saturday’s practice, saying the two veterans are expected back on Monday and that the episode is “part of camp” but players must “be smart” and treat confrontations as they would in a game, where a punch results in ejection.
Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan noted that rookie Fernando Mendoza is showing progress and the staff wants him to continue improving.
Impact on Rookie Quarterback Fernando Mendoza
With Cousins and Crosby sidelined for Saturday, Mendoza—selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft—received his first full set of first-team offensive reps. He completed several red-zone passes, throwing two touchdowns to Tre Tucker and Brock Bowers, and finished a two-minute drill with five straight completions that set up a field-goal attempt. Coaches described his morning as “solid,” praising his ability to handle starter reps despite a few off-target throws and snap issues.
Data & Statistics
- Kirk Cousins – 37, four-time Pro Bowler, 2025: 61.7 % completion, 1,721 yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs.
- Maxx Crosby – five-time Pro Bowler, 6-ft-5, 256 lb defensive end.
- Fernando Mendoza – 2025 Heisman winner, No. 1 overall pick, rookie quarterback.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Those are two leaders of our team going at it, so that is part of camp,” — Klint Kubiak, head coach
- “We have very clear expectations on how we want to practice and how we want to go about our business, and we violated that yesterday,” — Klint Kubiak, head coach
The Raiders’ disciplinary response underscores the staff’s emphasis on order while allowing camp intensity to surface, and it gave Mendoza an unexpected chance to demonstrate his readiness for the upcoming season.
