Texans’ Rookie lineman sounds off on Maxx Crosby scuffle at joint practice

Training camp joint practices always provide some serious fireworks, and the recent sessions between the Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders certainly delivered. When you put a physical rookie across from a relentless All-Pro, things are bound to get a little chippy.

That is exactly what happened when Texans rookie guard Keylan Rutledge locked horns with Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby. The two engaged in a heated scuffle during practice, but the young offensive lineman quickly brushed off the altercation as just another day at the office.

“Competition is great, it’s good to go out there and punch somebody else with a different color jersey on,” Rutledge told reporters. He added that he was simply having fun and doing what he usually does: playing through the whistle.

Rookie G Keylan Rutledge confirmed that he was, in fact, the one who got into it with it with #Raiders star Maxx Crosby at the joint practice. #Texans

“Just going out there and having fun, doing what I usually do, playing through the whistle.” pic.twitter.com/hyTktN7MIu

— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) August 21, 2026

That fiery energy carried right into Thursday night’s preseason clash, where Las Vegas ultimately snatched a late 22-20 comeback victory.

Houston came out swinging and controlled the early momentum. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud looked sharp during his lone series, completing four of his six pass attempts for 27 yards. He comfortably guided the offense downfield to set up a 20-yard touchdown scamper by running back Woody Marks.

The Houston defense kept the pressure dialed up shortly after. Linebacker Wade Woodaz jumped a sloppy pass from Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza and took the interception 80 yards to the house for a commanding 14-0 lead. Mendoza endured a rough first half, finishing the night with just 86 passing yards on 8-of-15 passing.

However, Las Vegas refused to fold. After the starters hit the showers, the Raiders slowly chipped away at the deficit. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell sealed the comeback win, plunging into the end zone on a one-yard tush push with just 14 seconds left on the clock.

Despite the preseason loss, the Texans showed plenty of fight all week. If Rutledge keeps bringing that mean streak to the trenches, Houston’s offensive line will be a nightmare for opponents this fall.