"The 49ers' two biggest personalities got into a heated exchange at practice Wednesday, and only time will tell if the beef was settled.

Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis, a team captain, and second-year receiver Michael Crabtree got into a heated argument that lasted more than 20 minutes during a walk-through before coach Mike Singletary took them inside the locker room to finish the conversation.

Singletary would not say what was behind the episode, only that the unaddressed problem has now been addressed.

"There are no elephants in the room," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said. "The elephant was exposed."

Singletary declined to describe the "issue" but said Davis, as a team captain, did the right thing the wrong way. Davis and Crabtree were not available for interviews.

Whatever the cause, it drew almost everyone's attention. Davis launched into Crabtree in profanity-laced fashion, with Crabtree responding with gestures and loud words.

Singletary had them take their beef to the side after a few minutes, then moved them farther away from practice a second time. When Crabtree got animated anew after about five minutes, Singletary took them in the locker room for more than 10 minutes.

Davis emerged first by himself. Singletary and Crabtree rejoined practice soon after to watch the final 20 minutes or so.

When all was done, Singletary gathered the entire team inside for another closed-door meeting in the locker room - where he wishes the matter was aired in the first place.

"How many of you guys have family?" Singletary asked reporters before they could ask what just happened out there.

"You have kids, and every now and then, your kids have some misunderstandings and they forget that there is a father at home. I will not talk about the issue, but ... they were both wrong. And we will not have distractions on this team.""