ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — It all began innocently enough. Receiver Jeremy Maclin sprinted upfield, running his trademark post route, when quarterback Alex Smith unleashed a gorgeous pass right on the money.
Then Marcus Cooper, the corner in coverage, held the back of Maclin’s collar while attempting to make a play on the ball. The pass fell incomplete, the two fell to the ground, and when both players arose, they quickly got in each other’s faces.
A push by Maclin followed, followed by a flurry of swings from both directions. And just like that, it was on.
The scuffle was broken up quickly, but receiver Albert Wilson and cornerback Steven Nelson later exchanged shoves, while running back Charcandrick West and cornerback Jamell Fleming did the same a few plays later.