Friday’s preseason opener between the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers featured more intensity than usual. Midway through the first quarter, a scuffle erupted between Panthers receiver Xavier Legette and Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins following a play involving Carolina’s Tuba Hubbard.
Legette aggressively grabbed Jenkins around the legs, driving him forward, prompting Jenkins to push Legette down with his forearm, which resulted in Legette’s helmet being torn. Teammate Miles Harden stepped in to break up the fight. Meanwhile, the Panthers focused on Ikem Eku-woo while pushing Harden away from Legette. Eyewitness reports and replays indicated that Legette threw multiple punches during the altercation, leading to both players being ejected.
The Panthers and Browns had participated in joint practice earlier in the week, suggesting the skirmish might have stemmed from previous tensions between the two. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski appeared displeased following Jenkins’ ejection.
The Panthers capitalized on their possession, scoring a touchdown on a five-yard pass from Bryce Young to Jalen Coker after a 73-yard, nine-play drive. During the drive—with some penalties involving Legette and Jenkins—Young completed several passes, including 13 yards to rookie Tetairoa McMillan and 10 yards to Adam Thielen. Neither Legette nor Jenkins made an impact on the stat sheet before their ejections, with Legette recording no receptions and Jenkins no tackles.
Fan Take: This kind of unexpected intensity in a preseason game signals that players are fiercely competing for roster spots, making early matchups highly charged. For NFL fans, it’s a reminder that even preseason games can be crucial and emotionally charged, potentially shaping team dynamics and player careers before the regular season even begins.
