De’Vondre Campbell suspended by San Francisco 49ers until end of season after refusing to play

The San Francisco 49ers have suspended linebacker De’Vondre Campbell for the remainder of the regular season after he refused to enter the game during a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. The decision came after Campbell declined to replace Dre Greenlaw, who had returned to action following an Achilles injury sustained in last year’s Super Bowl. Campbell’s refusal to play led to a three-game suspension, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

In a statement issued Monday, 49ers president of football operations and general manager John Lynch confirmed the suspension, citing “conduct detrimental to the team.” He added, “We will have no further comment on the matter.” Campbell’s actions were seen as disruptive, and he was criticized both by his head coach and teammates.

During the third quarter of the game, Greenlaw, who was just returning to the field after recovering from a serious Achilles injury, was replaced by Campbell. However, Campbell informed head coach Kyle Shanahan that he would not be taking the field. Following this refusal, Campbell walked off the field and into the locker room before the game concluded. Shanahan expressed his disappointment on Friday, stating that Campbell’s actions were unacceptable. He said, “His actions from the game, it’s not something you can do to your team or your teammates and still expect to be a part of our team.”

The incident has caused significant backlash within the 49ers’ locker room. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who had just returned to action after the tragic death of his daughter, expressed frustration with Campbell’s decision. Ward stated, “If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed out. He could’ve told them that before the game. I feel like that was some sucka sh*t that he did. Definitely hurt the team.” Ward emphasized that Greenlaw’s injury left the team in need of a linebacker, and Campbell’s refusal to step in was damaging. He also predicted that Campbell would likely be cut from the team soon.

Tight end George Kittle echoed similar sentiments, calling Campbell’s actions “selfish” and emphasizing the difficulty of winning football games when a player refuses to contribute. “It’s hard to win football games when someone doesn’t want to play football,” Kittle said.

Campbell’s suspension comes at a time when the 49ers have minimal playoff hopes, with less than a 1% chance of making the postseason, according to Next Gen Stats. Having signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the 49ers in March, Campbell’s tenure with the team is likely over. The decision to suspend him rather than release him ensures that Campbell will not be able to join another team for the rest of the season. He will also forfeit his pay for the remaining games.

Before Thursday’s game, Campbell had played in 12 of 13 games this season, stepping in as a temporary replacement for Greenlaw, who had been sidelined by the Achilles injury. However, Campbell was benched during the loss to the Rams, marking a significant turning point in his time with the 49ers. With the team’s slim playoff chances, it’s clear that Campbell’s future with San Francisco is uncertain, and the suspension further confirms that his time with the franchise is likely over.

While Greenlaw’s departure from the game due to injury was a setback for the 49ers, he is expected to return to full health in time for San Francisco’s upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Despite Campbell’s controversial actions, the 49ers’ defense will look to regroup and make the most of their remaining games in what has been a disappointing season.

Ultimately, Campbell’s refusal to play has left a lasting mark on his relationship with the 49ers, and his suspension marks a fitting end to his time with the team.

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