Panthers Browns preseason fight ends in ejections

A scuffle in Charlotte led to two ejections early in the game between the Panthers and Browns.

Panthers Browns preseason fight ends in ejections

In Charlotte on Friday night, tension rose early in the Panthers Browns preseason game after a run by Chuba Hubbard for no gain. Xavier Legette threw several punches at Rayshawn Jenkins, who grabbed Legette by the facemask and ripped off Legette's helmet. Both players were ejected with 6:36 left in the first quarter. Neither player posted any stats in the game.

The Panthers managed a 7-0 lead on a 5-yard touchdown catch by Jalen Coker from Bryce Young as the first quarter ended. The incident underscored how heated joint practices can spill into actual playtime, even when the game is not counting toward the regular season.

The episode tests how teams police discipline during the early phase of camp. It also highlights the league's willingness to enforce on field conduct in the preseason, sending a message that tempers will be controlled even when practice intensity runs high. The confrontation could shape how the Panthers and Browns approach future joint sessions and how fans view the teams’ handling of incidents at a time when the focus is on development and evaluation.

Beyond the immediate fallout, the incident raises questions about the cost of chaos. NFL fines are likely, and the larger questions concern reputational impact, player relationships, and the coaching staff's ability to keep players in line as the season approaches.

Highlights

Discipline in the heat of competition often sets the tone for the season ahead.