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Titans WR Wan'Dale Robinson evaluated for concussion after 'cheap' hit in joint practice
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49) tackles Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (4). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Titans WR Wan'Dale Robinson evaluated for concussion after 'cheap' hit in joint practice

At some point the NFL is going to have to do something about joint training camp practices and the problems they create. We received yet another reminder of that on Thursday when Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson was injured on a hit by Chicago Bears safety Xavier Woods.

It did not make the Titans happy. 

Titans head coach Robert Saleh has strong words for joint practice hit

The hit happened late in the practice session as Robinson was catching a crossing route from second-year quarterback Cam Ward.

Robinson was then hit hard by Woods, resulting in Titans offensive linemen Austin Schlottmann and Peter Skoronski confronting Woods.

Robinson was able to walk off the field under his own power, but is being evaluated for a concussion.

Titans head coach Robert Saleh was livid with the hit, calling it "cheap" after the practice. 

The Titans signed Robinson to a four-year, $70 million contract in free agency this offseason to give Ward another potential target in the passing game. The additions of Robinson and first-round pick Carnell Tate are all part of a massive overhaul of the team's passing game.

The bigger issue here, again, is the almost free-for-all nature of these joint-practice sessions. We have already seen several significant fights, including one that resulted in the NFL fining the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints $500,000 each.

It has also been common to see players get injured.

Any punishment to players has to come from the teams themselves for any inappropriate actions in these joint practice sessions, as the league has made it very clear it has to fall on them for discipline. That creates an environment where players might be more willing to play along the line between clean and dirty. That is especially true when players have spent weeks hitting only their own teammates in practices. Bringing another team into the mix is going to up the intensity and competitiveness, lead to more physical play and eventually lead to things that are going to risk fights and injuries. 

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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