Rams and 49ers clash on TNF used 'Highlander' series plot to thrill fans

De'Vondre Campbell left 49ers high and dry in third quarter

Compare and contrast that with the Thursday Night Football shenanigans of 49ers veteran OLB De'Vondre Campbell, a starting outside linebacker who was signed by the 49ers front office specifically to backfill the vacancy caused by teammate Dre Greenlaw's Achilles Tendon Injury. Greenlaw not only returned to the active roster, but he was sent in to face the Rams as the starter.

Apparently, that incensed Campbell.

When the coaches wanted Campbell to rotate into the game in the third quarter, he outright refused. To no surprise, he was escorted into the locker room after defiantly quitting on his team and teammates. And now, the 49ers and coaches must deal with the fallout of Campbell's shocking mutiny.

There has been a tsunami of opinions on social media expressing dismay and outrage at Campbell's refusal to play in Week 15. But nobody except Campbell knows what truly prompted him to defy his coaches in the middle of the football game. While not condoning the choice he made, I have to wonder at the cohesion of the 49ers locker room right now. After all, this is a team that endured multiple player holdouts in the offseason trying to leverage for more money. Both WR Brandon Aiyuk and LT Trent Williams eventually got paid.

If you noticed, neither player suited up to face the Rams in Week 15.

That may not be reported publicly, but I cannot fathom that everyone on the 49ers team looks at the record of 6-8 and is okay that two veterans who sat out for more money were not on the football field helping the team compete. Is it a significant issue? Who is to say. But that was certainly not the 49ers team that I recognized from the past.

Pregame reports indicated that the 49ers were celebrating a renewed urgency. But all I saw from their players were guys who seemed to have already packed their bags, anticipating a long vacation at the conclusion of Week 17.