Nick Wagner, ESPN staff writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — While no action has been taken yet, San Francisco 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear Friday that the linebackers Devonde Campbell Played the final blow for the team.
Campbell decides not to play in Thursday night’s loss to Team USA Los Angeles Rams That angered Shanahan and many of his teammates. After the game, Shanahan and multiple players said Campbell’s behavior was unacceptable and the cornerback Charvarius Ward It was even said that Campbell “might be laid off soon.”
As of Friday morning, the Niners had not determined how to part ways with Campbell, but Shanahan said he does not expect Campbell to remain with the team through Week 16 and beyond.
“We’re working on the semantics of how to handle it,” Shanahan said. “But I mean, you heard from me last night, you heard from our players, you heard how he performed in the game, which Not something you can do to your team or teammates and still be part of our team. We’re working on the semantics of it right now, but we’ll handle the situation appropriately. “
The most obvious move would be to cut Campbell and put him through waivers before he becomes an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with another team. However, the Niners could also explore other options, such as an unpaid suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Campbell signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Niners in March, meaning he will become an unrestricted free agent again after the season no matter what the 49ers decide to do now. When Campbell signed, the Niners envisioned him as Dre Greenlawthe team’s starting weakside linebacker, is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Super Bowl XVIII.
Reached deal with Campbell after another veteran linebacker, Eric KendricksAgreed to sign with San Francisco before opting out and heading to San Francisco dallas cowboys. With Greenlaw still recovering through the first 13 weeks, Campbell started 12 games and played 90 percent of the defensive snaps, racking up 79 tackles with three for loss and two passes defended.
“We need a starting-caliber linebacker to fill Dre’s shoes until he returns,” Shanahan said. “We don’t know how long that’s going to last. I think he’s had some ups and downs this year. I think he’s started off slow. I think he’s more used to our defense and how we expect people to play, and I think he’s been a little bit more used to it throughout the year. Making progress every year.”
Greenlaw’s return Thursday night provided an immediate spark for the Niners defense, holding the Rams to no first downs in the first quarter and only three points in the first half. But Greenlaw was dealing with knee soreness in the third quarter, when the Niners asked Campbell to play.
According to Shanahan, Campbell was actually asked to play in the second quarter when the strongside linebacker Dee Winters Left with a neck injury. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles Winters had to step in after Campbell told the coaching staff he didn’t want to play.
Shanahan said Friday that he didn’t return to Campbell until the third quarter to find out for himself what was going on. Shanahan said Campbell was not around his teammates and “distanced himself from everyone” when speaking to him.
“I didn’t notice it until the third quarter when Dre came out and Dee came out and then I put my defensive headphones on and asked what was going on,” Shanahan said. “Then the coach told me and I asked Devender and found out. It was easy to see how he was and then we moved on with our lives.”
Shanahan said he didn’t tell Campbell to go to the locker room in the fourth quarter, and the situation was broadcast live on television. Shanahan added that he wasn’t sure what led Campbell to the locker room, but “once I found out he wasn’t playing, I turned to someone we could trust.”
With Campbell gone, the Niners may need to add another linebacker to the roster. Shanahan said Friday that Greenlaw (sore knee) and Winters (neck) will be day-to-day when the team returns to practice next week.
But assuming Greenlaw can recover well, he will retain his usual starting spot. Greenlaw said after the game that he didn’t really know what happened to Campbell, but didn’t seem too concerned.
“He didn’t want to play,” Greenlaw said. “I guess if he doesn’t want to play, you don’t have to play. So, he doesn’t want to play.”
