Joshua Palmer Claims Dirty Play from Raiders CB Led to Week 1 Fight

The Los Angeles Chargers kicked off their 2024 NFL season with revenge on their minds after suffering one of the biggest blowout losses in franchise history last season against the Raiders. The tension was palpable throughout the tightly contested affair and things got out of hand late in the fourth quarter.

After a failed two-point conversion attempt by the Chargers, players got involved in a huge fight, headlined by the Bolts' Joshua Palmer and Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. After the scrum was over, Palmer and Jones were given unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and ejected.

NFL News: Chargers Accuse Raiders of Playing Dirty

It wasn't clear what exactly sparked the incident as Palmer and Jones were away from the play while Gus Edwards was stopped at the goal line. Palmer failed to back down even after the game and blamed the Raiders for playing dirty all game.

The Chargers wide receiver claimed that he was getting punched all game, including once by Jones earlier in the game. He also added that he didn't quite understand why he was the one getting ejected as he wasn't the one throwing a punch.

"They came and started throwing punches, but we're not going to be punching bags. So we had to defend ourselves."

- Chargers WR Josh Palmer

The dirty plays by the Raiders may have contributed to the quiet game Palmer was having until his ejection. Las Vegas was deliberately trying to take away the fourth-year receiver as he was treating him as the WR1. Palmer ended up with two catches and 15 yards for the game. His four targets were fewer than both Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.

However, Jim Harbaugh will not mind. He got the win he wanted in his return to the NFL and he will be looking forward to a juicy matchup against the Carolina Panthers who allowed 47 points in their season opener.

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