Padded practice brings 49ers’ first training-camp dustups

SANTA CLARA — Brief skirmishes are inevitable during training camp. The 49ers' first camp dustups happened to line up with the first day of padded practice. There has been a good amount of healthy chirping between the offense and defense through the first four practices, but there was a heightened intensity with the addition of players wearing pads on Monday. The conflict started shortly after presumed starting quarterback Brock Purdy found running back Elijah Mitchell on a short pass to the left side of the field, away from the media and fans. There was a clear pop of the pads when the ball carrier was tackled to the ground by linebacker Demetrius Flanagan-Fowles. A moment later there was a bit of pushing and shoving between the two sides until nearly the entire team had congregated on the far side of the field. It didn't take too long before the music was turned off and whistles were being blown by the officials in attendance. Once players were separated, coach Kyle Shanahan gathered the group for a 30-second huddle before practice resumed. "It's football, it's a physical sport," defensive tackle Arik Armstead said after practice. "Things like that are going to happen. Guys...