The Denver Broncos are set to host the Los Angeles Rams for a pair of joint practices this week.
So far this summer, Broncos players have done a pretty good job of not escalating any scuffles into big fights at practice. Denver coach Sean Payton wants that to continue when the team hosts the Rams on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Hopefully that’s not a big issue,” Payton said in July when asked about fights at practice. “It hasn’t been a big issue wherever I’ve been. We have to have the discipline when the whistle blows to get onto the next play.
“We see it every year where there is a personal foul or something silly or something stupid that only harms the team. You have to practice that. You deal with it on a case-by-case basis. We have taken players and sent them in, but hopefully that’s not a big issue.”
Last year, Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald swung helmets at opponents during a joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals. Payton doesn’t have to worry about the possibility of that happening this summer because Donald did not make the trip to Denver.
“I think Sean [McVay] will do a great job with his team,” Payton said on Tuesday. “My experience — it’s been with the Chargers over the years. It’s been with the Patriots. We’ve had a lot of good work take place without any fighting, so I don’t expect that to be an issue at all.”
The Broncos and Rams will hope everyone keeps their cool on the practice field leading up to Saturday’s preseason finale.
