Cooper DeJean Defends Teammate? No Evidence Behind Viral Scuffle Claim
A viral headline making rounds on social media this week claimed that Eagles rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean stepped in to defend a teammate following a âcheap shotâ by a Cleveland Browns rookie during a joint practice. The claim sparked buzz among NFL fans, particularly those following DeJeanâs promising rise with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, after thoroughly reviewing verified reports and credible sources, thereâs no evidence to support that this incident ever happened.
Breaking Down the Alleged Incident
The headline suggested that tensions boiled over at a joint practice between the Eagles and Browns, leading to a scuffle. The story claims that a Browns rookie delivered a dirty hit on an Eagles player, prompting DeJean to come to his teammateâs defense. While such stories often gain tractionâespecially in the NFL preseason where joint practices can get intenseâthere are no legitimate reports, video clips, or eyewitness accounts that validate this claim.
In fact, the Eagles and Browns have not held a joint practice in 2025, and the last time they did so was in August 2023. That 2023 practice did have its share of controversy, but it involved an entirely different scenario: Browns veteran guard Joel Bitonio accused Eagles defenders of taking âcheap shotsâ at quarterback Deshaun Watson. Bitonio singled out an aggressive strip attempt by Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat as crossing the line. Despite some back-and-forth between players and coaches, no fight broke out, and Cooper DeJeanâwho was still at the University of Iowa in 2023âwas not involved.
Who is Cooper DeJean?
DeJean was selected by the Eagles in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft and quickly became one of their most impactful rookies. Known for his elite athleticism, versatility, and football IQ, he played a major role in the Eaglesâ secondary during the 2024â25 season. He was also a standout on special teams, returning punts with vision and explosiveness.
Most memorably, DeJean delivered a pick-six in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefsâa play that etched his name into Eagles history and capped off a historic performance on his 22nd birthday.
His physical playing style and no-nonsense approach have drawn comparisons to some of the NFLâs most feared defensive backs. Yet despite his tough demeanor, thereâs no record of DeJean being involved in any practice altercations or âscuffles,â let alone defending a teammate from a cheap shot.
Why the Fake Headline Matters
False reports like this, though seemingly harmless, can cause confusionâespecially when they go viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, or Instagram. In todayâs sports media landscape, itâs increasingly common for misleading headlines or AI-generated stories to spread without fact-checking. This appears to be one such case.
As of now, neither the Eagles, the Browns, nor DeJean himself have commented on any such incident. Until credible reporting emerges, itâs safe to say that the viral claim is simply not true.
Bottom Line
Thereâs no verified report that Cooper DeJean defended a teammate during a scuffle with the Browns. While DeJean continues to impress on the field, this headline appears to be completely fabricated or misunderstood. Fans should be cautious about sharing or believing sensational claims without evidence.