SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell opted not to join his teammates on the field during the third quarter of Thursday night’s game after losing his starting position to Dre Greenlaw, who returned from injury. Campbell, who had been a key player in 12 of the 13 games this season and had contributed significantly on defense, found himself benched during the team’s narrow 12-6 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, marking a significant moment in the ongoing season.
Greenlaw made his return to the lineup after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon sustained during last season’s Super Bowl. He performed well initially, recording eight tackles in the first half. However, he experienced discomfort in his Achilles and exited the game in the third quarter. Following Greenlaw’s departure, Campbell chose not to enter the game, a decision that surprised both coaching staff and teammates alike.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan commented on this unprecedented situation, expressing his disbelief at Campbell’s refusal to play despite the team needing backup at linebacker. The loss to the Rams pushed the 49ers (6-8) closer to playoff elimination, making Campbell’s decision even more questionable. Shanahan indicated that the team would need to address how to handle such situations moving forward.
After walking off the field and heading toward the locker room, Campbell left his teammates feeling confused and frustrated. Cornerback Charvarius Ward openly criticized Campbell’s choice, labeling it as selfish. Ward noted that Campbell, as an experienced professional, should have expressed his reluctance to play prior to the game’s start, suggesting that such actions could severely impact the team dynamic. He went as far as to speculate that this behavior might lead to Campbell’s departure from the team.
The 31-year-old linebacker signed a one-year contract worth $5 million with the 49ers after being released by the Green Bay Packers. Although he had been named an All-Pro in 2021, Campbell has struggled in recent seasons, often having difficulty with tackling and coverage, a trend that continued in San Francisco this year despite some strong performances.
Tight end George Kittle weighed in on the situation, remarking that having one player make such a selfish decision is regrettable and not something he hopes to witness again in his career. The team is facing challenging times, and moments like these only add to the pressure as they aim to fight for a playoff spot.