The 49ers are parting ways with linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
Although the team has imposed a three-game suspension after Campbell refused to play on Thursday night, it appears to be a strategic move to save money and prevent him from joining another team, which he may prefer. Regardless of the reasoning, Campbell’s time with the 49ers is over.
According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, the 49ers have cleared out Campbell’s locker and removed his nameplate.
This move hasn’t been met with any complaints from teammates. Following the loss to the Rams on Thursday, tight end George Kittle and cornerback Charvarius Ward voiced their frustration. More players have since weighed in.
Defensive end Nick Bosa shared that Campbell was complaining in the locker room before the game, and while Bosa considered intervening, he decided not to add to the distraction. “I kind of saw the foreshadowing and I definitely didn’t think it was going to result in that,” Bosa said.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was more direct, stating, “I just lost all respect. I’m a person that’s going 110 percent every play. If I am hurt and the guy behind me is not backing me up and can’t come in or doesn’t want to go in, I just feel like he’s a cancer to the team.”
The fact that Campbell has yet to offer an explanation for his actions, either directly or through his agent, only adds to the tension. If there were a valid reason for his refusal to play, it would have likely surfaced by now.
As it stands, Campbell is unlikely to play again this season, whether for the 49ers or any other team, unless he files a grievance to challenge the suspension and force a change in his status.
