The San Francisco 49ers on Monday suspended linebacker De’Vondre Campbell for the final three games of the regular season for refusing to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Campbell refused when asked to check in for linebacker Dre Greenlaw in the third quarter. Campbell had started 12 games this season, but was replaced in the starting lineup Thursday when Greenlaw returned from injury.
‘He said he didn’t want to play today,’ Shanahan said following the 49ers’ 12-6 loss, adding that it was the first time in his head coaching career that a player refused to play when asked.
Reaction to Campbell’s refusal to play was swift, even from his own teammates.
‘That is one person who decided not to play for his teammates,’ tight end George Kittle said. ‘It’s one person making a selfish decision. … I’ve never been around anybody that’s ever done that. And I hope I’m never around anybody that does that again.’
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Shanahan hinted when he met with reporters on Friday that the team would be taking action against Campbell.
‘You guys heard from our players. His actions from the game is not something you can do to your team or your teammates and still expect to be a part of our team,’ Shanahan said.
Campbell, 31, was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. He has played for the Falcons, Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers before joining the 49ers this year on a one-year deal.
This story has been updated with new information.