In a surprising turn of events during the Thursday night game, San Francisco linebacker De’Vondre Campbell opted not to enter the match after being benched in favor of Dre Greenlaw. After starting 12 of the first 13 games for the 49ers, Campbell’s decision came amid a challenging situation as Greenlaw made his return from a serious Achilles injury sustained during last season’s Super Bowl.
Despite Greenlaw’s impressive performance in the first half, where he recorded eight tackles, he experienced soreness in his Achilles and exited the game in the third quarter. At that moment, Campbell refused to take the field, leaving coach Kyle Shanahan bewildered. He remarked that he had never witnessed such behavior from a player in his tenure and signaled that the team would need to address this situation moving forward.
Campbell’s departure was met with criticism from teammates, including cornerback Charvarius Ward, who expressed disappointment over Campbell’s conduct. Ward viewed the choice as selfish, particularly given that the team faced a critical moment when they needed every player on board. Tight end George Kittle echoed those sentiments, stating that he found Campbell’s decision perplexing and disappointing.
Having joined the 49ers on a one-year, $5 million deal after being released by Green Bay, Campbell was previously recognized as an All-Pro in 2021. However, his recent performances have been underwhelming, indicating struggles with tackling and coverage.
Overall, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of team unity and commitment, especially during crucial moments in a season that has the 49ers teetering on the brink of playoff elimination.
In these challenging times, it’s essential for teams to pull together, rally, and support one another, as they still have opportunities to improve and turn their season around positively. Re-establishing trust and focus could be key for the 49ers moving forward in their quest for postseason contention.