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Las Vegas Raiders QB Kirk Cousins explains practice dustup: 'My elbow got hit'

Kirk Cousins explains why he got upset during a practice dustup with Houston Texans defenders, citing concerns about his elbow being hit.

First seen Aug 19, 2026 · 11:33 AM UTC · last updated Aug 19 10:04 PM

Scoring Zone's Take

Kirk Cousins' elbow flare-up during a practice dustup is worth flagging for draft prep, though the reporting here is really just Cousins explaining his reaction rather than confirming a new injury. He's clearly protective of that elbow given his surgical history, and any contact — even in a padless drill — is going to draw extra attention this preseason. Until there's a practice report or team statement indicating missed time, treat this as noise rather than a red flag, but it's a data point worth monitoring as camp progresses.

For draft purposes, this doesn't move Cousins' ADP on its own. He's already a QB2/low-end streamer type in most formats given the offensive weapons in front of him and the elbow rehab timeline from last year. If additional reports surface showing him sitting out reps or dealing with soreness, that would be the real signal to push him down draft boards or plan a firmer contingency at backup QB. Right now, treat him as a late-round flier with modest upside and monitor beat-writer notes closely into the final preseason weeks.

Maxx Crosby's inclusion here is incidental — he's the player Cousins had the dustup with, but there's no injury or role news attached to him in these sources. No fantasy action needed on his profile; he remains a strong DL/IDP consideration in leagues that roster defensive players, unaffected by this incident.

Bottom line: low confidence this becomes anything meaningful, but keep Cousins on your watch list rather than locking in his draft slot until camp reports clarify elbow health.

Raiders QB Kirk Cousins explains latest practice dustup: 'My elbow got hit'

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins once again got fiery during training camp as defenders came a bit too close for comfort.

It wasn’t a repeat of the donnybrook that got him and Maxx Crosby banned from team drills earlier this month, but Cousins let Houston Texans defenders know about it during Tuesday’s joint practice.

“My elbow got hit,” Cousins said of why he was upset Tuesday, via Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I joke with Maxx, and I say, ‘You can touch me anywhere you want, just don’t touch my arm.’ You want to bump me in the ribs? Fine. I think if anything, hitting me in the hips or the ribs is actually good because it simulates what I need to feel.”

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Cousins and Crosby caused a skirmish in camp earlier this month after the two exchanged heated comments following a similar incident in which the QB thought the defenders got too close for a practice. Order was restored more quickly on Tuesday, per reporters.

For Cousins, getting hit on the arm in practice threatens his livelihood.

“I’ve got some scars from some hits in real games where helmets go into armpits and things, and it ruins your season,” he said. “So, I was just asking (Crosby) to just stay off the arm, and I had to remind the Texans as well.”

There is a reason QBs wear red jerseys to remind defenders they’re off-limits to contact. However, some defenders, like Crosby, have always prided themselves on pestering QBs who expect a perfect setting in practice.

“I might as well just take the red jersey off because you’re playing with, sometimes, an understood rule that if it’s not understood, then what are we doing?” Cousins quipped.

Coverage from Nfl Dot Com News · by Kevin Patra · Aug 19, 2026 · read original