Raiders Suspend Kirk Cousins and Maxx Crosby After Training Camp Fight

The Las Vegas Raiders suspended quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Maxx Crosby from team drills Saturday after the two veterans were involved in a heated altercation during Friday’s training camp practice.

Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said the players were held out because they violated the team’s expectations for how practices should be conducted. Kubiak said the situation was addressed with the team and that the organization would move forward.

The confrontation began after Crosby made contact with Cousins during a live 11-on-11 period and tipped a pass. Cousins reacted angrily, leading to a confrontation between the quarterback and the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end. Teammates quickly separated the two players.

The incident created an opportunity for rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, whom the Raiders selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Cousins held out of team drills, Mendoza received his first chance in training camp to run the starting offense and reportedly took advantage of the additional reps.

Cousins is expected to enter the season as Las Vegas’ starting quarterback after signing a two-year, $12.6 million contract in April. Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, remains one of the most intriguing young players on the roster and could eventually challenge for the starting job.

Crosby also remains a key part of the Raiders’ plans despite an eventful offseason. A proposed trade that would have sent him to the Baltimore Ravens was canceled after Baltimore raised concerns about his medical evaluation. He is now back in Las Vegas and preparing for the upcoming season.

The Raiders are entering their first season under head coach Klint Kubiak after finishing 3-14 last year. With Cousins providing veteran leadership, Crosby anchoring the defense and Mendoza representing the team’s future at quarterback, the organization will hope the training camp incident remains a minor setback rather than a sign of deeper problems.