The San Francisco 49ers have suspended linebacker De’Vondre Campbell for the remaining three games of the regular season for conduct detrimental to the team, CNN reports.
The suspension follows Campbell’s refusal to enter Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, a 12-6 loss, after being summoned by head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The team announced the suspension in a statement on Monday, issued by President of Football Operations and General Manager John Lynch: “We have suspended De’Vondre Campbell for three games due to conduct detrimental to the team. We will have no further comment on the matter.”
The incident occurred in the third quarter when Dre Greenlaw, returning from an Achilles injury sustained in last year’s Super Bowl, was injured. Campbell, called upon to replace Greenlaw, reportedly told Shanahan he would not play and left the field before the game concluded.
Shanahan, speaking to reporters on Friday, indicated he did not anticipate Campbell remaining with the team beyond Week 16. “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,” Shanahan stated.
Campbell’s actions drew sharp criticism from his teammates. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, playing his third game back after the death of his daughter, expressed his anger, stating, “If he didn’t want to play, he shouldn’t have dressed out, he could’ve told them that before the game. So, I feel like that was some sucka sh*t that he did. Definitely hurt the team.”
Tight end George Kittle echoed the sentiment, calling Campbell’s decision “selfish” and highlighting the impact on the team’s ability to win.
With the 49ers’ playoff hopes virtually eliminated (less than a 1% chance according to Next Gen Stats), the suspension effectively ends Campbell’s tenure with the team. By suspending him rather than waiving him, the 49ers prevent him from joining another team this season and forfeit his remaining salary. The 31-year-old, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract in March, had played 12 of 13 games before the incident. Greenlaw, meanwhile, is expected to be healthy for the upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins.
