OXNARD (AP) — Dez Bryant kept going after Dallas cornerback Tyler Patmon in a heated training camp skirmish that didn’t end until quarterback Tony Romo finally stepped in and calmed his star receiver.
Bryant, who has a history of sideline antics that include screaming at coaches and teammates, threw something at Patmon and later appeared to take a swing at him after the two tangled during a play in 11-on-11 work late in the practice Sunday.
The incident started when Patmon jarred Bryant’s helmet loose during a play and Bryant responded by yanking off Patmon’s helmet. Patmon threw a punch and backed away, and Bryant came back with a wild left hook before teammates separated them. The Cowboys posted video of the exchange on their website.
Tight end Jason Witten was among those who couldn’t get Bryant to walk away. Romo eventually came over and got Bryant to move to a different part of the sideline, while Patmon stood with players and other team personnel nearby.
Bryant, the biggest star in this camp because he recently signed a five-year, $70 million contract that ended his threat not to show up, said he and Patmon exchanged words for several plays before the skirmish that had several teammates trying to separate them.
When practice ended a few minutes later, coach Jason Garrett spoke briefly to Bryant, who then walked over to Patmon and hugged him while fans nearby cheered after earlier yelling at Bryant to calm down.
uMariota collides with scout during Titans’ night practice: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Marcus Mariota gave the Tennessee Titans a momentary scare Monday night when he scrambled and ran to the sideline where he crashed into a scout.
Mariota popped right back up and headed to the sideline after hitting the scout who worked hardest to convince the Titans to draft the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback.
Mariota gave Marv Sunderland a hand to help him back up before running to the huddle.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Sunderland, who scouts the West for the Titans, was Mariota’s biggest proponent this offseason.
“And then Marv’s going to knock him out on the sideline? Thanks a lot, Marv,” Whisenhunt joked.
The No. 2 draft pick overall out of Oregon finished the practice completing 11 of 15 passes in team and seven-on-seven drills combined.
uJudge: St. Louis residents don’t need vote on stadium funds: ST. LOUIS (AP) — The effort to build a new football riverfront stadium in St. Louis got a big boost Monday when a judge ruled that approval from city voters is not necessary to use bond proceeds for the project.
St. Louis Circuit Judge Tomas Frawley’s ruling voided a city ordinance requiring voter approval for any project using tax dollars for a professional sports facility. He called the 2002 law’s language confusing and vague.
A spokeswoman for Mayor Francis Slay says the city is reviewing the ruling.
The St. Louis Rams play in the Edward Jones Dome, which is outdated by NFL standards. The team is weighing a move to Los Angeles.
The new stadium would cost nearly $1 billion.
uFormer Jaguars WR Sanders faces 10-game ban: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Ace Sanders, a fourth-round draft pick in 2013, is facing a 10-game suspension for another violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.
A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Sanders was cut last month following another failed drug test. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team and the league did not announce Sanders’ failed test or pending suspension. ESPN first reported the 10-game ban, which would be enforced if Sanders signs with another team.
Sanders missed the first four games of the 2014 season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He caught 51 passes as a rookie, but was less of a factor last season with only six catches.
He was a question mark this season to make it with an upgraded roster.
