Tempers already were intensifying when defensive lineman Carlos Davis and guard Kendrick Green scuffled in training camp Friday, the first day the Pittsburgh Steelers donned shells under their jerseys.

It reached a boiling point on the final play of the workout. Again, Davis was at the center of the festivities.

Tackle Jake Dixon, working with the third team, took a lineman to the ground, prompting Davis to sprint from the sideline and level the rookie from Bethel Park and Duquesne University.

A team-wide scrum engulfed the combatants. At the end, rookie linebacker Tyree Johnson was being held back by Alex Highsmith.

It was the second time in as many days that players had to be separated. And the Steelers still haven’t practiced in pads – that doesn’t occur until Monday – when the violent collisions lead to heightened bad feelings between teammates.

“An environment like this is an opportunity to teach and learn – not only from a competitive standpoint but a professionalism standpoint,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “(We’re) working to keep it professional. From time to time it happens. None of us like it, but it’s a teach opportunity.”

Dixon said he was just seeing the play through to the end.

“Playing to the whistle, and it ended how it did,” he said. “Going hard and trying to mix it up a little bit. It’s the third day of camp, we’re just trying to get after it.”

Engaging in his first camp fight wasn’t on Dixon’s bucket list when he reported to Saint Vincent.

“I didn’t have too many boxes (to check),” he said. “That definitely wasn’t one of them.”

Although the Steelers are still in the midst of the period dedicated to players getting acclimated to the heat, Dixon isn’t surprised that a few fights have broken out so far.

“We’re flying around,” he said. “It’s football, well, the closest to football we’re going to get until we’re playing real games. Everyone takes advantage of it to crank it up a notch, work really hard and make everybody better.”

Bona fide hitting isn’t supposed to take place until Monday. Tell that to veteran safety Damontae Kazee, who flattened rookie receiver Calvin Austin across the middle and came away with a juggling interception.

Asked whether Kazee was aware that tackling isn’t encouraged at this stage of camp, Tomlin responded, “I’d rather say whoa than sic ‘em. In that instance – whoa.”

On the injury front, tight end Pat Freiermuth didn’t participate after leaving early with a lower-body injury Thursday. Cornerback Levi Wallace sat out with an illness. Wide receiver Chase Claypool sustained a shoulder injury that Tomlin said required further evaluation.

“I don’t know the severity of it,” he said.

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