Niners’ Locker Room Erupts After De’Vondre Campbell Refuses to Play
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Drama unfolded under the Thursday night lights as San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell made a shocking decision that left his teammates and coaches stunned. In a move that has sparked heated reactions across the NFL, Campbell refused to enter the game in the third quarter, citing dissatisfaction after losing his starting role to Dre Greenlaw, who returned from injury.
Campbell, who had been a key starter for the 49ers in 12 of their first 13 games this season, was benched for San Francisco’s 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Greenlaw, making his first appearance since tearing his left Achilles tendon in last season’s Super Bowl, reclaimed his starting spot and made an immediate impact with eight tackles in the first half. However, when Greenlaw left the game in the third quarter due to soreness in his Achilles, the team turned to Campbell—only to be met with refusal.
“He said he didn’t want to play today,” head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed in a postgame press conference. The loss dropped the 49ers to 6-8, leaving them teetering on the edge of playoff elimination. Shanahan, visibly frustrated, admitted, “I’ve never seen that before in my coaching career,” and added that the team would “figure out something” to address the situation moving forward.
Locker Room Fallout: Teammates React
Campbell’s decision to walk off the field and head to the locker room didn’t sit well with his teammates, who didn’t hold back their feelings. Cornerback Charvarius Ward minced no words, calling Campbell’s actions “selfish.”
“He’s a professional,” Ward said. “He’s been playing for a long time. If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed out. He could have told them that before the game. I feel like that was some selfish stuff that he did. It definitely hurt the team. Dre went down, and we needed a linebacker. … For him to do that, that’s some selfish stuff to me in my opinion. He’s probably going to get cut soon.”
Ward wasn’t alone in his criticism. Tight end George Kittle echoed similar sentiments, expressing disbelief over Campbell’s decision. “It’s one person making a selfish decision,” Kittle said. “I’ve never been around anybody that’s ever done that, and I hope I’m never around anybody who does that again.”
Campbell’s Rocky Season
The 31-year-old Campbell joined the 49ers in the offseason on a one-year, $5 million deal after being released by the Green Bay Packers in March. Once an All-Pro in 2021, Campbell’s performance had declined over the past two seasons in Green Bay. While he showed flashes of brilliance in San Francisco, he struggled with consistency, particularly in tackling and coverage.
Despite his challenges, Campbell had been a workhorse for the 49ers, playing 90% of the team’s defensive snaps before Thursday’s game. However, his refusal to step up when the team needed him most has cast a shadow over his contributions this season.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
With the loss to the Rams, the 49ers’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. The team now faces not only the challenge of salvaging their season but also addressing the fallout from Campbell’s actions. Shanahan and the front office will need to decide how to handle the situation, with many speculating that Campbell’s days in San Francisco may be numbered.
For a team that prides itself on a strong locker room culture, this incident is a significant blow. The 49ers have long been known for their “next man up” mentality, but Campbell’s refusal to play has left a sour taste in the mouths of his teammates and fans alike.
Key Takeaways
- De’Vondre Campbell refused to enter Thursday’s game after losing his starting role to Dre Greenlaw.
- Greenlaw, returning from an Achilles injury, left the game in the third quarter due to soreness, leaving the 49ers shorthanded.
- Teammates Charvarius Ward and George Kittle criticized Campbell’s actions, calling them “selfish.”
- The 49ers, now 6-8, are on the brink of playoff elimination and must address the fallout from this incident.
As the 49ers look to regroup, one thing is clear: this story is far from over. Whether Campbell remains with the team or not, his decision to walk away in a critical moment will be a topic of conversation for weeks to come. Stay tuned, because the drama in San Francisco is just heating up.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
