Violence During NFL Camps Prompts Questions

AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill

NFL training camp has been going on for over a month, and several complications and injuries have already occurred. Many players are injured or questionable, and it's leaving many fans and teams wondering if training camp is worth the risk.
by Harrison Smith, Jake Weitzman, Mason Cason, Grayson Brandenburgh, and Markeis Hardeman

NFL training camp has been going on for over a month, and several complications and injuries have already occurred. Many players are injured or questionable, and it's leaving many fans and teams wondering if training camp is worth the risk.

One of the biggest concerns regarding training camp is injury. In this past month, around 400 players have been injured across all 32 teams, according to The Ringer. This fact leaves many teams lacking the skills they need for the upcoming season. Some of the biggest names that are injured due to training camp are Micah Parsons (edge for the Packers), Emeka Egbuka (wide receiver for the Buccaneers), and Jeremiyah Love (running back for the Cardinals). While minor injuries are not a huge concern for teams, some injuries have changed entire seasons for some players. Jayden Higgins, Ricky Pearsall, and Chris Brazzell are all wide receivers who have had season-ending injuries and surgeries. These players, among many others, are causing debates on whether or not the NFL should add more rules and regulations for training camp.

Another concern about training camp is relations between players. At least 10 fights have broken out across four separate teams. The most notable of these fights occurred with the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints were two of many teams that practiced together. However, emotions across both teams were far from civil. Fox Sports reports that at least six different fights broke out between the two teams. Multiple of these fights consisted of helmets being thrown, body slams, and punches thrown by many players. Fights have been reported across other joint practices as well. Teams like the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, and Pittsburgh Steelers have all reported joint practice fights. This is nothing new to the NFL, but the number of reported altercations is cause for concern.

Due to the rising concern for players' health, some teams are starting to impose more restrictions on their practices. Many teams have started implementing no-tackle rules and rest days. One team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, went as far as to cancel training camp altogether, leaving many teams wondering if they should make the same choice.

Whether or not the NFL decides to cancel training camp, impose more restrictions, or keep the same schedule as it is now, it's clear to players, coaches, and fans that this year's training camp has had more problems than anyone could have anticipated.