The absolute worst way to get injured during training camp is to get injured fighting. When you are fighting your own teammated, it just makes it that much worse. Well that’s exactly what happened when Ra’Shede Hageman threw a punch at a teammate and fractured his wrist:
Also during practice, rookie defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman exited the field and did not return with what is believed to be a hairline fracture in his wrist, according to a league source. Hageman threw a punch at center Joe Hawley during pass rush drills and received medical attention immediately after the scuffle.
Coach Smith was not happy with Hageman fighting.
“I think we’re all talking about competing and fighting for jobs, but we’re not talking about fighting each other,” Smith said. “We’ve got to understand that. It’s not what we’re about. We’re about competing and going out and trying to win a job. But we’re not about fighting one another. That’s something that happens when it gets hot. Today, it was hot, or hotter than what we’ve been used to practicing. But we’ve got to definitely get that fixed.”
There should be a rule in the NFL that if you get injured throwing punches at a teammate during camp that you are automatically cut. Frankly this is beyond stupid and the rookie Hageman better hope he can make a contribution to the team soon.
*Update*
Now sources are saying Hageman did not suffer any injuries:
Clarity on #Falcons DL Ra’Shede Hageman, who was involved in a fight today. Source said he did not suffer a broken wrist or any broken bones
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2014
[ESPN]