De'Vondre

Campbell Sr.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Campbell wasn’t expected to play for the Niners again this season after he refused to enter the game in last Thursday’s loss to the Rams. While many thought the Niners would release Campbell in the coming days, the Niners have instead opted to end his season with this three-game suspension. General Manager John Lynch officially said Campbell was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. Campbell signed a one-year contract with the Niners this offseason to replace linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who suffered a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl, but his role on the team had diminished in recent weeks with Greenlaw on the mend. Campbell totaled 79 tackles, three TFLs, and two pass breakups in what is certain to be his only season with the team.

Campbell refused to enter Thursday’s game in the third quarter and then walked off the field. The 49ers could choose to suspend Campbell for the rest of the year instead of cutting him, though the result is functionally the same. Campbell has played his last snap in San Francisco.

Alrighty then. A returning Dre Greenlaw (achilles) felt achilles and knee soreness and had to check out. Coach Kyle Shanahan called on free agent addition Campbell and he refused to play. His teammates were in disbelief afterward, saying they expected Campbell to get cut. Second that. Campbell has been a regular this season, playing 719 snaps entering Week 14. It won’t be easy to replace someone at this juncture, but he will definitely be waived, likely on Friday.

A torn Achilles suffered by Dre Greenlaw in the Super Bowl has made the linebacker position one of need for the 49ers. Now, Campbell a former First-team All-Pro, will help tighten up the linebacking corps while Greenlaw recovers. Greenlaw was released by the Packers earlier this month in a move that cleared $10.5 million in cap space, but the veteran linebacker still proved effective in 2023, totaling 75 tackles in 11 games.

Campbell’s release will be made official on Wednesday, according to Silverstein. The Packers are expected to clear $10.5 million in cap space with the move, which is significant for a team that’s currently looking at just over $12.7 million in available cap, according to Spotrac.com. The veteran linebacker joined the Packers in 2021 after a one-year stint with the Cardinals and was named as a First-Team All-Pro in his first season with the team. Campbell was limited to just 11 games last season due to ankle and neck injuries and wound up totaling 75 tackles, two TFLs, and one fumble recovery on the year. Campbell will be 31 at the start of next season could still be an upgrade for several teams at outside linebacker.

Campell is one of five members of the Packers’ defense listed as questionable for Week 13. That’s not a great start to the weekend when you’re about to square off against Patrick Mahomes. Campbell was limited in practice throughout the week before being listed as questionable. He missed Week 12 because of the neck injury despite being listed as a full participant in practice on Friday. He remains a game-day call for the Packers.

Campbell did not practice on Monday or Tuesday but got back for a full session on Wednesday. The Packers only held walkthroughs this week, so all three of his reports were estimations. Still, a full practice suggests he is good to go for Week 12. Safety Rudy Ford was limited in practice throughout the week and listed as questionable to play.

Campbell has been out since Week 3 with the ankle issue. It’s unclear when he will return to the lineup. Green Bay will face a Denver offense reeling from an embarrassing loss to the Chiefs this week.

He got in limited work all week. His return would be a big deal for a run defense that has been lost all season. Campbell hasn’t played since Week 8.

Campbell finally practiced on Friday -- his first practice since hurting his knee in Week 8 -- but it was only a limited session. It would be a big help for Green Bay’s hopes in the running game if Campbell were able to return. Week 13 feels more realistic.