The move shocked the San Francisco 49ers locker room. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell’s refused to step in for injured Dre Greenlaw during Thursday’s 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Now, what other choice is there. His likely exit from the team is all but assured.

Despite being suited up and on the sidelines, Campbell opted not to play when Greenlaw’s leg injury flared up and Dee Winters was sidelined with a neck injury. This decision has sparked outrage among Campbell’s teammates. It also led to a clear stance from head coach Kyle Shanahan. Campbell’s time with the 49ers is over.

Campbell’s Refusal to Play Shocks the 49ers

Shanahan quickly learned of Campbell’s refusal to play through his defensive coaches’ headsets and wasted no time moving on. “Once I found out he wasn’t playing, I moved on to people we could count on,” Shanahan said. The 49ers needed a starting-caliber linebacker to step in. And, Shanahan made it clear that Campbell’s actions were unacceptable. He won’t be a part of the team moving forward.

The 49ers are still working out the details of Campbell’s departure. It will be through release or suspension. Whichever way Shanahan plays it, he was firm that this kind of behavior cannot be tolerated. “His actions from the game are not something you can do to your teammates and still expect to be a part of our team,” Shanahan explained.

The fallout from Campbell’s refusal to play has been swift and public. Teammates like cornerback Charvarius Ward were quick to condemn his actions, calling it “selfish” and “sucker [stuff].” Ward even suggested that Campbell would likely be cut soon after. Tight end George Kittle also expressed his frustration, calling Campbell’s decision “ignorant” and “stupid.” Kittle emphasized that, regardless of personal struggles, every player on the team would jump at the chance to play when called upon. That shows a stark contrast to Campbell’s behavior.

Shanahan’s Swift Response: No Room for Selfishness

In the aftermath of this incident, it’s clear that Shanahan’s decision to move on from Campbell has unanimous support within the 49ers locker room. The team thrives on accountability, trust, and the willingness to step up for one another. Campbell’s selfish stunt undermined all of that. Kittle summed it up best, saying, “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 actions might have cost him his spot on a playoff-contending team. More importantly, they serve as a painful reminder of the importance of team-first mentality in the NFL.

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