Las Vegas Raiders starting quarterback Kirk Cousins and star defensive end Maxx Crosby did not participate in team drills Saturday, a day after an on-field skirmish late in practice.
Rookie first-round pick Fernando Mendoza got his first extensive action with the starting offense in Cousins’ absence.
“As you know, we didn’t have Maxx and Kirk practicing today,” coach Klint Kubiak told a small group of reporters on the field after practice. “I just wanted to address it. We have very clear expectations on how we want to practice and how we want to go about our business. We violated that yesterday, so we held those guys out. That’s all I’m going to say about it. We addressed it with the team and we’re moving on. They’ll be back at practice (Monday).”
Both players were on the field in uniform for Saturday’s practice, but watched from the sidelines with their respective units during team periods and all 11-on-11 drills.
Cousins went after Crosby late in Friday’s practice, appearing to take exception with Crosby coming too close to him in the pocket and possibly contacting his throwing arm.
Their teammates quickly broke up the scuffle.
The disciplinary action likely sent a major message to two of the team’s biggest stars.
Crosby had credited Kubiak for not playing favorites during a recent appearance on the “Ball in the Family” podcast.
“He’s super calm,” Crosby said. “If you talk to him, he’s very monotone. Everything is chill. But he is all about ball. He keeps it black and white. He doesn’t (care) who he’s calling out. If we’re in a meeting, he’ll call me out just like he’d call a practice squad guy out. That’s something I appreciate. You want that. It (stinks) in the moment, but ultimately that will bring out the best version of yourself. He’s been clear about that since Day 1.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
