The San Francisco 49ers saw their faint playoff hopes take a massive hit with a Thursday Night Football loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 15.
One of the Niners’ players appears ready to start vacation early after a controversial decision that left many critical and dumbfounded.
What Did De’Vondre Campbell Do on Thursday Night Football?
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell has started 12 of the team’s first 13 games but saw his role minimized in Week 15 with the season debut of Dre Greenlaw (who tore his Achilles in February’s Super Bowl). Campbell did not play at all in Week 15 after averaging over 52 snaps per game over the first 13 games.
Afterward, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Campbell refused to enter the game when asked to in the third quarter.
“He said he didn’t wanna play today.”
Kyle Shanahan on De’Vondre Campbell checking himself out of the game in the third quarter
🎥: @49ers https://t.co/0oTKiQcssB pic.twitter.com/Ak9uylt1fZ
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 13, 2024
Shanahan would not confirm whether or not Campbell would remain on the team after the open act of defiance.
Kyle Shanahan said LB De’Vondre Campbell refused to play when he was asked to go back in the 3rd quarter.
Asked if the team will release him, "I don't know. We'll figure out something."
— Clayton Holloway (@HollowayNFLN) December 13, 2024
Predictably, the ninth-year linebacker’s actions had a harsh blowback. Tony Gonzalez noted “I would probably cut him” when hearing about the incident. Most notably, 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward was brutally honest in assessing Campbell’s departure.
Here is the whole Mooney Ward exchange on De'Vondre Campbell refusing to go into the game tonight.
Mooney was brutally honest about a guy who appeared to quit on his team. #49ers | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/CT6zNcC4t1
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) December 13, 2024
The veteran linebacker is playing on a one-year deal in San Francisco, so he’s likely done with the franchise at the end of the year no matter what.