Baltimore Ravens Cornerback Nate Wiggins Ejected After Sideline Brawl During Heated Joint Practice With Colts at Under Armour Performance Center
Tempers flared, fists flew, and for a few explosive moments on Tuesday morning, the Baltimore Ravens’ joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts devolved into something more resembling a street fight than an NFL training session. At the center of the chaos stood second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins, who was ejected from the session after storming in from the sideline and throwing punches at Colts players during a heated skirmish. The altercation, which erupted at the Ravens’ Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills, quickly became the headline of the day—and potentially a turning point in Wiggins’ young NFL career.
The incident occurred roughly halfway through the two-hour joint practice, a session that had already seen its fair share of trash talk, late hits, and growing frustration on both sides. Joint practices are notoriously intense. With players eager to prove themselves and avoid preseason injuries, tensions tend to run high. But this scuffle went a step too far.
Sources on the scene said the melee began after a hard collision between a Colts running back and Ravens safety Geno Stone. Words were exchanged, pushing followed, and suddenly a small scrum formed. Before coaches or officials could fully intervene, Nate Wiggins, who wasn’t even involved in the original play, charged in from the sideline and began swinging.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing Wiggins land at least one punch before being restrained by teammates and staff. Colts players responded in kind, leading to a chaotic few minutes as players from both teams surged toward the fray. Coaches on both sides rushed in to de-escalate, and after several tense moments, order was restored. But the damage was done. Harbaugh and his staff wasted no time sending Wiggins to the locker room.
“Nate lost his composure,” head coach John Harbaugh said after practice. “That’s not who we are. That’s not how we handle adversity or competition. We’ll address it internally.”
The ejection marks a significant stumble for Wiggins, who had been turning heads throughout camp. Drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Clemson, the young cornerback had shown promise with his elite speed, fluid coverage skills, and increasing confidence in press-man situations. He was expected to take a big leap in his second year, possibly even locking down a starting role opposite Marlon Humphrey.
But now, instead of dominating headlines for his coverage or big plays, Wiggins is facing questions about maturity, discipline, and accountability.
Veteran defensive leader Roquan Smith, while not directly addressing Wiggins by name, emphasized the importance of professionalism in high-intensity situations. “We’re all competitors,” Smith said. “We’re going to battle every day. But there’s a line, and you’ve got to know when not to cross it. That’s part of being a pro.”
The Colts, for their part, seemed taken aback by the escalation. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed after practice that no Colts players were seriously injured in the melee and that the team would continue with scheduled joint sessions unless told otherwise by league officials. “It got chippy,” Steichen admitted. “You hate to see that. We want these practices to be competitive, not combative.”
Behind closed doors, the Ravens organization is likely to have serious conversations about the incident. Wiggins’ raw talent is undeniable, but this kind of outburst can’t be overlooked—especially for a team with championship aspirations. Baltimore has long prided itself on a disciplined, blue-collar culture that values mental toughness as much as physicality. For Wiggins to earn back the full trust of his coaches and teammates, he’ll need to show that Tuesday’s incident was an outlier, not a pattern.
This isn’t the first time joint practices have resulted in fights or ejections around the NFL. In recent years, brawls during joint sessions have become almost expected—if not accepted—as part of the hyper-competitive preseason atmosphere. Coaches walk a fine line between encouraging physicality and maintaining control, but when a player comes off the sideline to throw punches, that line is clearly crossed.
Wiggins’ decision to enter the fray from the sideline was especially troubling. In NFL circles, that’s a cardinal sin. It escalates a manageable scuffle into something much more dangerous. It exposes players to injury and draws unwanted attention to a practice that’s supposed to be about team building and evaluation.
Former NFL players who observed the scene from afar were quick to weigh in. “That’s not a good look,” one anonymous veteran corner told a local reporter. “You can be fiery. You can play with a chip. But when you’re coming off the sideline swinging? That’s immaturity.”
Still, it’s important to remember that Wiggins is only 21 years old and still finding his footing in the league. The jump from college to the NFL is steep—not just in terms of talent, but also in the mental and emotional maturity required to survive. He’s facing elite competition every day, adjusting to life as a professional, and carrying the expectations that come with being a first-round pick.
Ravens defensive backs coach Chris Hewitt, who has been instrumental in Wiggins’ development, didn’t downplay the situation but offered some perspective. “Nate’s passionate. He wants to win every rep. But he’s got to channel that the right way. This is a teaching moment, and I believe he’ll learn from it.”
Teammates who spoke off the record said they’ve seen growth in Wiggins over the past year, both on and off the field. They described him as a dedicated film junkie, someone who stays late after practice and constantly asks questions. But they also acknowledged that he plays with a certain edge—a fire that, when misdirected, can lead to moments like Tuesday.
Whether or not Wiggins faces further disciplinary action remains to be seen. The NFL typically does not fine players for incidents during practice, but internal team punishments—fines, reduced reps, even temporary demotions—are common. Harbaugh has not yet indicated what, if any, further steps will be taken.
In the immediate aftermath of the fight, Wiggins’ absence was noticeable. The Ravens defense, which had been dominating early in the session, looked slightly off-kilter without him. The energy dropped, the physicality waned, and the remaining practice periods lacked the edge that had defined the morning.
But perhaps that’s the point. Wiggins brings an intensity that, when channeled correctly, can elevate those around him. The challenge now is learning how to wield that fire without letting it burn bridges—or draw penalties that could cost the team in real games.
Harbaugh has dealt with similar personalities before. From Terrell Suggs to Marcus Peters, the Ravens have always embraced players with edge—as long as that edge serves the team. The path forward for Wiggins will require a careful balance: staying true to his competitive nature while learning the situational awareness that separates good players from great ones.
The Ravens are scheduled to hold another joint session with the Colts before facing them in their second preseason game this weekend. Whether Wiggins will participate remains unclear. It’s possible the team could sideline him as a cooling-off measure or to send a message about discipline and focus.
In the bigger picture, this incident may ultimately serve as a pivotal moment in Wiggins’ career. If he responds the right way—with humility, growth, and renewed focus—it could be the kind of learning experience that shapes him into a future star. But if he fails to adjust, the road ahead could become much rockier.
For now, the Ravens will circle the wagons and prepare for what comes next. Training camp is about forging identity, and moments of adversity—like the one they experienced on Tuesday—can either divide or unify. How the team responds, and how Wiggins responds, will speak volumes about what this 2025 Ravens squad is truly made of.
Until then, the image of Wiggins charging off the sideline, fists clenched and fire in his eyes, will linger in the minds of those who witnessed it. It was a moment of passion, yes—but also one of miscalculation. In the NFL, where perception matters almost as much as performance, moments like these don’t go unnoticed.
Now, it’s up to Nate Wiggins to write the next chapter of his story. One that proves the fire inside him can be focused—not just feared.
