Throughout training camp, there were days when the intensity hit new levels and skirmishes occurred.
Maybe the heat takes the better of the players.
Perhaps someone feels as if a hit came too late.
Regardless, fights will happen at one point before camp ceases.
It took six days for the first scuffle to occur for the Texans at the Methodist Training Center.
During one of the team’s two-minute drills, C.J. Stroud threw a pass over the middle to wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who pushed ahead a few extra yards after the catch attempted to slide and get down. But before he could reach the sidelines, safety Jimmie Ward made contact.
Diggs and the offensive players weren’t keen on what was considered a late hit and a minor skirmish ensued in the middle of the field between both sides.
As coaches were trying to break up the quarrel, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. creaked through the pile and knocked tight end Dalton Schultz to the ground. Based on a video recorded from one fan’s perspective, Stroud held back Schultz from retaliating while another quick scuffle broke out again.
Stingley and Shultz get into in camp #Texans #traningcamp #houstontexans pic.twitter.com/XtsrhLkms1
— Rob (@YouGewdBro) July 24, 2024
The coaches were able to break it up again and return to practice. And afterward, while it wasn’t perfect, players seemed to have cooled their tensions.
Fights happen, and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans knows this from his playing time back in the mid-2000s. After going up against one another for over a week, they’re ready to hit an opposing team and send them into next offseason.
Ryans wasn’t scheduled to speak to the media on Wedensday, so it’s unclear how he felt about the small fight that broke out during drills in front of fans.
Based on how he acted last season when Christian Harris and Devin Singletary got into it, one would assume he’s content with a bit of shoving so long as it doesn’t lead to injuries.
There was a mini dust up between Stingley and Dalton Scultz as Stingley pushed Schultz to the ground.
It started between Stefon Diggs and Jimmie Ward as Diggs wasn’t fond of a late ish hit. Then came a crowd. Then the push came. Second day of padded practices & the intensity is…
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 24, 2024
Soon enough, the Texans will cleared to leave it out all on the field when they travel to Canton, Ohio, to take on the Bears in the Hall of Fame Game next Thursday.
