Former Kentucky DB Lonnie Johnson Jr. kicked out of joint practice for hit on Jace Sternberger

The Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers held a joint practice on Monday, and it didn’t end particularly well.

During the session, Texans rookie CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. — a second-round pick out of Kentucky — got sent off the field early for a hit he made on former Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger.

Reports stated that the hit made Sternberger’s helmet come off, but added that it was a clean hit from all appearances:

Texans rookie corner Lonnie Johnson hit on former Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger led up to the brief practice dustup. Drills resumed

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 5, 2019

CB Lonnie Johnson Jr (@Lonnie30johnson) with a clean hit on former @AggieFootball TE Jace Sternberger and the Packers didn't like it, causing tempers to flare for a few seconds.

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 5, 2019

After the practice, coach Bill O’Brien said he felt it was probably best to get Johnson off the field before things escalated:

Bill O'Brien on Lonnie Johnson being booted from remainder of practice after hitting Jace Sternberger: '"That's between me and Lonnie, it's not a big deal. It was a play that developed over there, and it was time for Lonnie to head to the showers."

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 5, 2019

Eventually, Johnson responded on Twitter, saying he isn’t trying to hurt anybody:

https://twitter.com/Lonnie30johnson/status/1158462632120193026

Sternberger also weighed in, saying there were no hard feelings between him and Johnson:

Jace Sternberger on the hit from @Lonnie30johnson 'That’s just football. I’m fine. It was more that I got the wind knocked out of me. I still think it’s football. It could’ve been the exact other way. Everybody’s playing aggressive and intense, so it’s a good thing.'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) August 5, 2019

Practices between two teams are nice to break up the monotony of training camp, but sometimes they lead to scuffles like this.