Kyle Shanahan says De’Vondre Campbell, who retired on Thursday, will no longer be a part of the 49ers

The only thing that was clear after the San Francisco 49ers’ loss on Thursday night was that De’Vondre Campbell would no longer be welcome in the locker room.

Campbell, who served as the starting linebacker for the 49ers for most of this season and is a nine-year NFL veteran, refused to play in a game against the Rams in the second half and when head coach Kyle Shanahan asked him about it, said Campbell: “He didn’t do it.” “I don’t want to play today,” said Shanahan. Campbell then left the sideline toward the locker room and did not return.

NFL teams may put up with a lot, but quitting in the middle of a game is one of the few things that is usually unforgivable. Shanahan made it clear Friday that Campbell will no longer play for San Francisco.

Shanahan told reporters Friday that what Campbell did was “not something you can do and still be a part of our team,” via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.

That shouldn’t be a surprise. Shanahan said the team has not had contact with Campbell since Thursday evening. He confirmed that Campbell will not be with the team in Week 16.

What comes next for Campbell and the 49ers is unclear. He could be suspended. The Baltimore Ravens suspended receiver Diontae Johnson for one game in Week 14 after he refused to play in a game the week before. If the 49ers release Campbell, he could sign with another team for the remainder of the season, and San Francisco doesn’t appear to be in the mood to help Campbell find his footing anywhere else.

Shanahan said the team is “working on the semantics” of what will happen next with Campbell.

It is rare for a player to refuse to take part in a game when asked to do so, and far more unusual for a player to leave his team during a game. In 2018, cornerback Vontae Davis told the Buffalo Bills at halftime of a game that he was giving up and leaving. Near the end of the 2021 season, Antonio Brown took off his pads and jersey and danced through the end zone as he left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mid-game. Campbell joins this strange list.

Campbell was essentially replaced on Thursday with the return of Dre Greenlaw to the lineup. When Greenlaw got banged up in the second half, the team wanted Campbell to come in. He then refused and left. Many of Campbell’s teammates criticized his actions after the game. Tight end George Kittle called it “stupid” and “immature.”

It’s no surprise that Campbell isn’t coming back. However, it would be interesting to see him face his teammates again after what happened on Thursday night.