De'Vondre Campbell Refuses to Play vs. Rams, 49ers Fall to LA in Crucial Playoff Race

De'Vondre Campbell

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, a defeat that severely diminished their playoff hopes. With the loss, the 49ers fell to 6-8, leaving them with less than a 1% chance of making the postseason. Meanwhile, the Rams improved to 8-6, keeping their playoff aspirations alive and giving them a 50% chance to clinch a spot in the NFC playoffs. The game was a defensive struggle, with both offenses unable to generate much momentum in rainy conditions at Levi’s Stadium.

The most contentious moment of the game came when 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell refused to play after being asked to step in during the third quarter. Starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who was making his season debut after recovering from an Achilles injury, felt soreness and was sidelined. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Campbell was asked to enter the game but chose instead to walk to the locker room. Shanahan’s response was blunt, saying, "When someone says that, you move on. You don’t deal with that anymore."

Campbell’s decision drew sharp criticism from his teammates, including tight end George Kittle, who called it “selfish.” Kittle emphasized that players who suit up are expected to play, regardless of personal issues. He added that Campbell’s refusal impacted the team, especially with two other linebackers already unavailable due to injury. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who recently returned from the death of his daughter, was also critical of Campbell’s actions, calling them “sucka stuff” and stating it “hurt the team.”

The game itself saw little offensive production. The 49ers took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a 53-yard field goal by Jake Moody, and the Rams responded with a 48-yard field goal from Joshua Karty in the second quarter. After that, neither team managed to score a touchdown, as both defenses dominated. The Rams pulled ahead in the fourth quarter with three field goals, while the 49ers failed to capitalize on opportunities, including a key interception with just over five minutes remaining that sealed the Rams' victory.

The Rams' win was significant, as it kept them firmly in the playoff race, while the 49ers now face an uphill battle to remain relevant in the NFC West. The loss raised further questions about team chemistry, especially given the internal conflict sparked by Campbell’s actions. The 49ers must regroup quickly as their season heads toward a potentially disastrous conclusion, with only three games left to salvage their slim postseason hopes.