Former Tennessee Vols player victim of a dirty hit during NFL joint training camp practice

New York Giants running back Eric Gray, a former Tennessee Vols standout, was the victim of a dirty hit on Monday during a joint NFL training camp practice with the Detroit Lions.

Gray, who spent the first two years of his college career at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma, was laid out by Lions rookie defensive back Morice Norris. The former Vol's helmet flew off as he went to the ground after getting hit by Norris.

Yikes. That seems like a bit much for an early August training camp practice.

The joint practices between the Giants and the Lions got off to a chippy start in general on Monday.

Gray, who is entering his second season in the NFL, is battling rookie Tyrone Tracy for the No. 2 running back job with the Giants.

Related: Detroit Lions appear to send a message to former Tennessee Vols QB Hendon Hooker ahead of preseason action