Each team was fined that amount after numerous skirmishes broke out between the teams Tuesday, with safety Jalen Thompson getting suplexed by the Saints’ Brock Rechsteiner, who is the son of WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Scott Steiner.
Cornerback Caelen Carson and edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku were kicked out of practice for throwing punches and edge rusher Sam Williams was also in another skirmish where it appeared a punch was thrown.
“Yes, we will appeal. And that’s pretty harsh. I mean, pretty stiff, not harsh, but stiff,” Jones said after Thursday’s practice. “But it does make the point that it’s a serious matter and it starts with everybody at all levels of a club to, and at clubs in this case, where two are practicing together. It really emphasizes the league’s intent to control it from the very top, which when they start dealing out those kinds of fines, they get your attention.”
The NFL sent a memo to teams in July reminding them of their responsibility in preventing unsportsmanlike behavior at joint practices. Players and coaches are also subject to fines.
Jones said the Cowboys will fine several of their players for their actions in the practice against the Saints.
“I think that you have to have consequences and that needs to register,” Jones said when asked about Ezeiruaku. “In other words, we all know whether you’re playing a game or out here in society, if you aren’t sensitive about the consequences of your behavior, then you’ll get brought to your knees pretty quick. And so this is something that I, knowing him, I think he has the capability of being sensitive to consequences.”
The Cowboys had another incident, this time with each other, during Thursday’s practice between tight end Jake Ferguson and linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Ferguson took exception to getting hit and threw the ball at Overshown. The two had to be separated after a brief scrum.