National Football League

Giants, Lions each fined $200K for fights at joint practices

Updated Aug. 7, 2024 10:29 a.m. ET

Joint practices between the Detroit Lions and New York Giants got a bit heated on multiple occasions Monday and Tuesday. Those altercations have resulted in fines from the NFL, who docked both organizations $200,000 each, per NFL Media.

There were at least a couple of fights and bench-clearing scuffles with punches being thrown during Monday's practice. It's unclear exactly how many fights took place, as there were several occasions where players had to be separated, but Giants quarterback Daniel Jones and general manager Joe Schoen were in the middle of at least one fight, according to multiple reports.

"I thought it was a good, competitive practice all day today," Jones said. "We made some plays and did some good things. There were some things we need to clear up, for sure. But it was good intensity and competitive spirit today."

Then, Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers and Lions safety Kerby Joseph were at the center of a fight that took place on Day 2 of joint practices on Tuesday.

The play that led to the incident Tuesday came shortly after Nabers of LSU beat fellow first-round pick Terrion Arnold of Alabama on a pass play. After making the catch, Nabers tapped his friend and former SEC rival on the helmet.

It was his way of saying "good play." Joseph didn't see it that way. He charged at Nabers and the altercation ensued.

Nabers downplayed the incident saying it was hot and stuff like that happens in training camp. Nabers added he was not trying to show up Arnold.

"That’s the competitor in me and Arnold, we talk almost every day about just competing, how great we want to be," Nabers said. "So, it’s nothing against him. He’s my brother, so I’m going to give him the work he needs. He’s going to give me the work I need. But I was just tapping him on the helmet, good play. That’s all it was."

Nabers, who has caught most of the passes thrown his way in the joint practices, said Joseph was angry and rushed at him, saying a few things that he would not repeat. He did not know why the safety was angry.

Nabers said he is aware not to throw punches in a game.

The first skirmish Monday reportedly began when Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown spun and aggressively tossed Giants cornerback Dru Phillips off him after making a reception. Giants safety Dane Belton went over to St. Brown and knocked the football out of the receiver's hand.

That's when the pushing and shoving began, with St. Brown hitting Belton. Well over a dozen players on each side converged right after.

Later on, Giants offensive lineman Greg Van Roten was seen fighting a Lions defensive lineman. As the battle between those two broke out, Jones ran over to try to separate them.

"Situation like that happens, you've got to stand up for your guys," Jones told reporters of his involvement.

Members of the Giants seemed to enjoy that Jones got involved in one of Monday's fights, though Brian Burns implored him to proceed with caution.

"I'm gonna need him to back up," the new Giants star edge rusher told reporters. "[He should] let his O-line handle that."

In the final major skirmish during Monday's practice, Schoen was seen running into the middle of some pushing and shoving between players on the Giants' offense and Lions' defense.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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