De'Vondre Campbell Refuses to Play: 49ers Linebacker Walks Off Amid Controversy
The San Francisco 49ers faced a shocking turn of events during their Thursday Night Football clash against the Los Angeles Rams when veteran linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to enter the game. The decision left head coach Kyle Shanahan, teammates, and fans stunned, particularly as the team struggled with injuries to key defensive players. Campbell’s subsequent walk to the locker room without playing a single snap only deepened the frustration after the 12-6 loss at Levi’s Stadium.
In the third quarter of the 49ers’ matchup against the Rams, linebackers Dre Greenlaw (knee) and Dee Winters (neck) sustained injuries. With their linebacker depth dwindling, the coaching staff turned to De’Vondre Campbell to step in. To everyone’s surprise, Campbell declined to enter the game.
As the situation escalated, Campbell was seen walking to the locker room with a towel over his head in the fourth quarter. His actions sparked an uproar within the locker room and ignited a firestorm of criticism from coaches, teammates, and fans.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media after the game, saying:
“He said he didn’t want to play today. That’s somebody who doesn’t want to play football. It’s pretty simple. We know how we feel about that.”
The 49ers came into the game with linebacker Dre Greenlaw returning from a previous Achilles injury sustained during Super Bowl LVIII. Greenlaw’s knee soreness forced him out in the third quarter, adding to the injury problems as Dee Winters also exited with a neck issue.
With Fred Warner as the only remaining starter, the 49ers needed Campbell’s experience and leadership on the field. Instead, the team turned to Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, their last healthy linebacker, to fill the gap.
Kyle Shanahan didn’t mince words when discussing Campbell’s refusal to play. He emphasized that such behavior has no place in the team:
“When someone says that, you move on. It’s clear what that means.”
When asked whether the team plans to release Campbell, Shanahan kept it brief:
“We’ll figure out something.”
His response signals that Campbell’s future with the team is uncertain at best.
The aftermath of Campbell’s actions left many 49ers players frustrated and angry. The team, which prides itself on toughness and unity, was visibly shaken. Some teammates refrained from commenting, but others didn’t hold back.
Tight end George Kittle, one of the vocal leaders of the team, shared his disappointment during a lengthy post-game interview:
“It’s one person making a selfish decision. I’ve never been around anybody that’s ever done that, and I hope I’m never around anybody who does that again.”
Kittle also expressed regret that he wasn’t on the sideline when the incident occurred:
“I don’t like distractions on the sideline. I think that’s ignorant, dumb, and very immature.”
Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who recently played through personal tragedy, echoed similar sentiments:
“If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed out. That was some sucka s— that he did. Dee went down, and we needed a linebacker. … It definitely hurt the team.”
Ward’s pointed criticism reflects the frustration felt throughout the locker room.
Signed as a free agent in the offseason from the Green Bay Packers, De’Vondre Campbell was expected to serve as a key placeholder for the 49ers’ linebacker group. He started 12 of 13 games this season, playing 90% of defensive snaps with 79 tackles and two passes defended.
However, Campbell’s role diminished with Dre Greenlaw returning to the starting lineup. His frustration may have stemmed from the reduced playing time, ultimately boiling over during the game against the Rams.
Before joining the 49ers, Campbell had an eventful tenure with the Green Bay Packers. An All-Pro linebacker in 2021, his next two seasons were marred by injuries and disagreements with the coaching staff over his usage. Campbell was eventually released with a post-June 1 designation.
While Campbell hasn’t spoken publicly about his actions, several factors might explain his decision:
Regardless of the reasons, refusing to play during a game reflects poorly on Campbell’s commitment and professionalism.
The loss to the Rams significantly hurt the 49ers’ playoff chances. Already struggling in a competitive NFC West, the distraction caused by Campbell’s refusal only compounded their problems.
The 49ers now face an uphill battle with their linebacker corps in disarray and morale potentially shaken.
The 49ers have always emphasized unity and accountability under Kyle Shanahan’s leadership. Campbell’s actions threaten that culture, leaving players and coaches grappling with the fallout.
Given the severity of the incident, the 49ers may choose to:
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment with Campbell:
Others sympathized, speculating that frustration with reduced playing time led to his actions.
The 49ers must address two immediate challenges:
De’Vondre Campbell’s refusal to play during the 49ers’ loss to the Rams marked a low point in his tenure with the team. His actions drew sharp criticism from Kyle Shanahan, teammates, and fans, with potential repercussions looming. For a team fighting for its playoff life, distractions like these are costly and unwelcome.
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