Kyle Shanahan skilled a primary as an NFL head coach within the 49ers’ 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday at Levi’s Stadium when one in every of his gamers declined to take the sector.
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell’s position modified with the return of Dre Greenlaw this week, and when the latter exited the sport within the third quarter with some soreness in his Achilles and knee, Campbell refused to play when Shanahan requested him to take Greenlaw’s place and as an alternative went to the locker room.
“He mentioned he didn’t wish to play immediately,” Shanahan informed reporters after the sport, noting that had by no means occurred to him earlier than with a participant. “… He was going to go in when Dre got here out.”
Greenlaw returned for the must-win Week 15 sport 10 months after tearing his Achilles in Tremendous Bowl LVIII. The 49ers signed Campbell to a one-year contract in NFL free company this offseason to assist make up for Greenlaw’s absence, and the previous All-Professional linebacker was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2016 when Shanahan was the crew’s offensive coordinator.
Shanahan did not say whether or not the 49ers will launch Campbell after his actions Thursday.
“We’ll determine one thing, however I don’t know that proper now,” Shanahan mentioned.
Campbell’s teammates did not mince phrases when requested in regards to the linebacker’s determination to not play.
“I imply, he is knowledgeable. He is been taking part in for a very long time. If he did not wish to play, he should not have dressed out,” cornerback Charvarius Ward informed reporters within the locker room. “He may have informed [them] that earlier than the sport. So I really feel like there was some sucker s— that he did that positively damage the crew, as a result of Dee [Winters] went down and we would have liked a linebacker, and I believe [Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles] was banged up, too.
“So for him to try this, that is some sucker stuff to me, for my part. Most likely going to get minimize quickly. It’s what it’s with that.”
Tight finish George Kittle did not hear about Campbell’s departure till after the sport, however mentioned he wished he had identified when the 49ers have been nonetheless on the sector.
“Look, should you’re on the roster and also you go well with up, you are anticipated to play,” Kittle informed reporters. “I believe anybody on this constructing that acquired requested to go in, I’d say 100% of all people would die to get on that soccer area. Individuals are going via random issues off the sector, I am unable to communicate on that. No matter his determination was, it wasn’t for this group, for this crew, and that is on him. I am not very completely happy about it. …
“Is that the explanation we misplaced? Completely not, but it surely’s onerous to win soccer video games when somebody would not wish to play soccer .. particularly if you lose two linebackers and will have suited one other one. … I’ve by no means been round anybody that is ever completed that, and I hope I am by no means round anybody that does that once more.”
The peculiar state of affairs comes as San Francisco dropped to 6-8 on the season, which has been nothing in need of irritating. However Shanahan is assured the locker room stays as tight as ever — and supportive of its coach.
“I haven’t misplaced anyone,” Shanahan mentioned. “Someone doesn’t wish to play soccer, that’s fairly easy. [I] assume our crew and myself understand how we really feel about that, so I don’t assume we have to discuss him anymore.”