Skirmishes, Ejections Mark Day 2 of Packers-Patriots Practices

Joint practices are synonymous with fights. After a calm first day between the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots, several fights marred the early stages of Thursday’s practice.

The big one came during a special teams period, when Packers outside linebacker Keshawn Banks and Patriots veteran linebacker Anfernee Jennings got into a fight that led to both players being ejected by the coaching staffs.

Working on punt return, Banks admitted to taking his block too far downfield.

“It wasn’t a full covered rep, so we’re taught to work 10 yards, let them finish or do whatever they do,” Banks said afterward. “I ended up working past 10 yards, which I typically do, but I kind of blocked him hard and I think he got upset and kept pursuing me after the play was dead. Being a rookie, just letting my emotions get the best of me in that moment, it caused an altercation.”

It was more than a run-of-the-mill altercation. Jennings got a running start and leveled Banks.

“The blind side, that was what it was. I didn’t see it,” Banks said. “Prior to that, I could’ve avoided that by being more mature, being more professional about the situation. It is what it is. You learn, you grow. That’s part of being a rookie is growing pains and that’s one of them.”

Jennings was removed from the action and flagged by the officials. When Patriots coach Bill Belichick asked why Banks wasn’t penalized, as well, Packers coach Matt LaFleur walked up to Banks.

“Matt came up to me and said, ‘Did you throw a punch?’ and I’m just an honest, truthful person,” Banks said. “That’s the way I was raised and I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ Sure enough, I left practice shortly after.”

Moments earlier, with Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie working in punt protection, he took a Patriots player to the ground to set off a fracas.