SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KRON) — San Francisco 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to enter the game when Kyle Shanahan attempted to put him in on Thursday night, Shanahan said. Campbell instead went to the locker room.
The incident happened in the third quarter. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw went down, and Shanahan attempted to put in Campbell to replace him, but the veteran refused.
“He said he didn’t want to play today,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan, who has been an NFL coach for 21 seasons, said that has never happened to him before. Campbell did not provide Shanahan with a reason.
Campbell is a nine-year NFL veteran who previously played for Shanahan on the 2016 NFC champion Atlanta Falcons.
He played in 13 games and started 12 in 2024, filling in for Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles tendon in last year’s Super Bowl. He was moved to the bench when Greenlaw made his season debut on Thursday.
49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward was not pleased with Campbell’s decision.
“Definitely hurt the team,” Ward said. “Cause, you know, (Greenlaw) went down and we needed a linebacker. So, for him to do that, that’s some selfish stuff to me, in my opinion. He’s probably going to get cut soon.”
The incident continued what has been a tumultuous year for the 49ers (6-8). Last week, wide receiver Deebo Samuel took to social media to say he was not getting the ball.
The 49ers lost to the Los Angeles Rams 12-6, putting their playoff odds on life support. Brock Purdy completed less than half of his passes and the team failed to score a touchdown.
