49ers' linebackers Warner, Greenlaw spark fight in first padded practice

Cam Inman, Bay Area News Group on Jul 31, 2026

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Coach Kyle Shanahan wisely stood still rather than break up the first fight of 49ers’ training camp, which predictably coincided with the first day in pads.

Shanahan let the fracas play out 15 yards in front of him. Here is what he saw as he remains a distant bystander at practice as he copes with a concussion from his July 14 car crash:

Once tight end Jake Tonges caught a pass downfield, linebacker Fred Warner confronted him and seemingly taunted him to spark the fight. Other players rushed to the scene, with linebacker Dre Greenlaw tugging right tackle Colton McKivitz to the ground, prompting fullback Kyle Juszczyk to enter the fray and a dogpile ensued.

Alas, no one emerged with visible wounds, and no one was sent to the showers, although only about seven plays ensued before the 90-minute practice was done.

“Fred has a menacing aura, him and Greenlaw. Having them behind me adds confidence,” defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa said. “Obviously you talk about protect the team. But I just know when it comes to guys like that, they have one speed, so it’s hard.”

Pushing and shoving broke out six plays before the Warner-Tonges tussle. Once Christian McCaffrey caught a Brock Purdy pass, he got pushed out of bounds and to the ground by Greenlaw, then McCaffrey popped up and pushed Greenlaw back.

This was the 49ers’ fourth official practice of camp and the first they were allowed to be in full pads with live contact.

Chris Foerster, Shanahan’s fill-in at the pre-practice team meeting, quipped: “I was all, ‘Protect the team. Don’t get in fights.’ I did a great job with that one, right?”

Well, Foerster is also the 49ers’ offensive line czar and no scuffles broke out in one-on-one drills with defensive linemen. Still, watching Warner and Greenlaw tag-team a scrum wasn’t a surprise.

“When you get guys who are competitive, it doesn’t matter how much a veteran or a leader a guy is. In competitive situations, fuses get lit,” Foerster said. “First day in pads, guys are trying to set the tempo and tone. I don’t think it’s anything more than a Day 1 issue.”

Notes

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel was en route to the 49ers facility Friday, a day after agreeing on a one-year contract after leaving the 49ers via trade to Washington last year. … Foerster had no injury updates on wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (right knee) or running back Jordan James (rib). Others still out of action are wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf), safety Malik Mustapha (hamstring) and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (ankel). … The 49ers signed tight end Josiah Deguara and wide receiver Trenton Irwin; waived were defensvie back Derrick Canteen and tight end Tanner McLachlan (injured).