Well, that didn’t take long!
Typically when an NFL team has a training camp fight (kerfuffle, scuffle, dust up, etc.) it’s after a couple days in pads where the tensions are high, the competitive juices reach a boiling point and players lash out at a teammate in lieu of getting to hit an opponent.
For the 49ers it came Monday, the team’s first day with pads on.
Last year the first major fracas came when linebacker Fred Warner hit a wide receiver too hard for Brandon Aiyuk’s liking. This year it’s less clear how the fisticuffs started, but it was big enough that head coach Kyle Shanahan had to stop practice.
– Was hard to tell exactly who started the fight and who kept it going so long but it immediately followed a big hit from LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles on RB Elijah Mitchell downfield. Kyle Shanahan huddled team up and delivered usual message about protecting your teammates.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 31, 2023
I believe Jauan Jennings was in the middle of this one — lots of energy between WRs and DBs during and after the play https://t.co/OvpBKHlOvV
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) July 31, 2023
It’s not a surprise if Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles was the overzealous defender. While he is a veteran, he’s also fighting for a starting job and potentially a roster spot. An overaggressive hit on the first day with pads would make some sense.
It would also not be a surprise if Jennings was one of the players firmly in the mix. He’s consistently one of the team’s most fiery competitors, and Aiyuk mentioned after Sunday’s session how much chirping there’s been between the wide receivers and defensive backs.
The good news is nobody was seriously hurt during the skirmish. Now the team has to ensure there aren’t any more major altercations.
Luckily they won’t need to wait long before getting to hit an opponent. Their joint practices with the Raiders are scheduled for August 10 and 11 leading up to their preseason opener.
