SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers have officially suspended linebacker De’Vondre Campbell for the remainder of the regular season, following his refusal to play after losing his starting position. This decision was announced on Monday.
The situation escalated after Campbell’s refusal to participate in a game against the Los Angeles Rams, leading coaches and teammates to label his behavior as “selfish.” Coach Kyle Shanahan commented on Friday that Campbell’s actions meant he would no longer be part of the team, with the debate revolving around whether it would result in a suspension or an outright release.
The team decided to proceed with a suspension, which is permissible under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. This allows teams to suspend players for up to four games without pay for conduct deemed detrimental to the team, as well as impose a fine equivalent to one week’s salary.
“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,” 49ers General Manager John Lynch stated.
Campbell, who is earning approximately $67,000 per week under a one-year contract worth $5 million, will also miss out on $60,000 in potential weekly roster bonuses. Additionally, the team may pursue recovering around $111,000 from his signing bonus.
Had the 49ers chosen to waive him, Campbell would have had the chance to be picked up by another team. Until now, he has participated in 12 of the first 13 games this season and accounted for 90% of the team’s defensive snaps. However, he was benched Thursday night when Dre Greenlaw made his return after recovering from a severe Achilles tendon injury.
During the third quarter, as Greenlaw was taken out due to discomfort in his Achilles, the coaching staff attempted to substitute Campbell back into the game, but he refused. Shanahan remarked that such an event had never occurred in his experience as either a head coach or an assistant in the NFL. Following his refusal, Campbell walked off the field with a towel over his head and left the locker room before the game against the Rams was over, which had significant implications for the 49ers’ playoff chances. Shanahan clarified that he had not sent Campbell to the locker room and was unaware of his departure from the field.
Campbell, 31, joined the 49ers after being released by the Green Bay Packers in March. He was an All-Pro selection in 2021 but his performance has waned in the subsequent two seasons. While he had expressed dissatisfaction on social media regarding his usage in Green Bay, he was optimistic about his fresh start in San Francisco. However, despite a few standout moments this season, he has struggled significantly during games, particularly with tackling and coverage.
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