The 49ers suspend LB De’Vondre Campbell for the remainder of the season after he refused to play in the game

De’Vondre Campbell no longer wanted to play for the San Francisco 49ers after refusing to play in a game last week. It was just unclear how the 49ers would handle the situation.

The 49ers have decided to suspend him for three games, which would end his season. The team announced the decision on Monday afternoon with a statement from general manager John Lynch.

“We have suspended De’Vondre Campbell Sr. for three games for conduct detrimental to the team,” Lynch said in the statement. “We will have no further comment on this matter.”

The reason the 49ers suspended Campbell instead of firing him is to prevent him from joining another team for the remainder of this season. Teams can suspend players for up to four games for harmful behavior.

The 49ers were unhappy with Campbell when he refused to play on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams. Campbell, who started 12 of the 49ers’ first 13 games this season, played behind Dre Greenlaw, who made his debut in 2024 after tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that he asked Campbell why he refused to go into the game and Campbell “said he didn’t want to play today,” according to Shanahan.

Campbell then left the sideline and went to the locker room. A report from Jay Glazer of Fox Sports said it was 49ers general manager John Lynch who confronted Campbell and told him to get off the sidelines. The 49ers players criticized Campbell for not participating in the game. The day after the game, Shanahan said Campbell’s refusal to come in was “not something you can do and still be a part of our team.”

The suspension will cost Campbell $261,666 in salary and bonuses, according to Spotrac, and the team will be able to rely on $111,666 of his $3.35 million contract bonus. Campbell, who is 31 and a nine-year NFL veteran, had a one-year, $5 million contract with the 49ers.

For the 49ers, the Campbell drama during a loss to the Rams was a surprising part of a disappointing season. With the suspension, his time in San Francisco will likely come to an ugly end.