Cowboys' Mike McCarthy Blasts Defensive Lineman For Bizarre 'Tackle' of Rams' Staffer

It doesn't exactly rank up there with the day the Dallas Cowboys cut starting quarterback Quincy Carter, owner Jerry Jones rambling on about his love for the "glory hole" or when coach Barry Switzer punched sports TV anchor Dale Hansen on live TV, but what transpired this week was pretty bizarre.

During a joint session in Oxnard, Cowboys' defensive lineman Albert Huggins was kicked out of practice after shoving a staff member of the Los Angeles Rams to the ground. In a pass-rush drill against L.A.'s offensive line, Huggins shed an attempted block and headed toward the "quarterback," who in this instance was merely a young Rams' staff member in shorts and a T-shirt.

But Huggins didn't let up, intentionally shoving the unsuspecting kid to the ground with two hands. His action obviously riled up Rams players, who then chased Huggins back toward the Cowboys' defensive huddle.

Cowboys coaches reprimanded Huggins, and he was eventually escorted away from the drill.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy admonished Huggins on Thursday.

"Obviously, his behavior is unacceptable," McCarthy said. "It's something that's been addressed. He has apologized and I'm comfortable with his apology. I was obviously on the offensive side of the field when it happened. I had a chance to talk to (Cowboys defensive coordinator) Mike Zimmer and (Rams coach) Sean McVay.

"When it did happen, we removed him from practice."

Huggins, 27, is playing for his fifth different team in his fifth NFL season. Signed on Aug. 6, he is competing for a backup defensive tackle job in camp.