Just like most players, many athletes in the 49ers locker room love the game and their team. And sometimes, the love for the sport overcomes the concern for their well-being. We saw it firsthand with their DE Nick Bosa. After missing three games from week 12 to 14, he played in their week 15 matchup against the Rams. Though they lost 6-12, he believed that players like De’Vondre Campbell would learn their lesson.

After the game, Bosa was asked about the situation at the Niners, he replied, “We’re going to find out who wants to be here the next few weeks,” before giving a powerful message to the team that was, “If you’re healthy, you should play.” That’s right. They need their key players to be available on the gridiron.

The injuries are one of the main reasons they are struggling. RB Christian McCaffrey missed the first 9 games of the season because of an Achilles injury. After playing 4 games since the week 10 matchup against the Buccaneers, he suffered a PCL injury in his right knee that ended his regular season.

Another such player was their WR Brandon Aiyuk, who tore his ACL & MCL against the Chiefs in week 7. He was also ruled out of the entire season. But the HC Kyle Shanahan hasn’t been swift to counter such issues.

The cracks appeared in the week 15 game against the Rams. Their linebacker refused to come on the field.

George Kittle, Charvarius Ward, and others angry with De’Vondre Campbell

During the 3rd quarter, the LB De’Vondre Campbell refused to play the game. HC Kyle Shanahan was stunned by his actions, but he didn’t waste much time. And continued with the remaining players. Just like Nick Bosa, their TE George Kittle and CB Charvarius Ward, also talked about it.

A league veteran of 9 years, Campbell arrived at the Niners this year only. However, leaving the field was something no one ever expected. Kittle was angry with Campbell and during the post-game conference, he said, “I think that’s ignorant and I think it’s just dumb, it’s just stupid and it’s very immature. I just don’t see how you can do something like that to your team.

It was more problematic for Nick Bosa and others as Campbell left the field after Dre Greenlaw had also gotten injured. As a result, they couldn’t keep the Rams offense under control and lost 6-12. They needed a win, but couldn’t quite get it.

Ward also shared a similar sentiment about the linebacker’s actions and said, “If he did not want to play, he should not have dressed out and they could have told him. So I feel like there was some suckership that did definitely hurt.” But the CB also predicted his future and added, “Probably gonna get cut soon.” That’s expected.

Players are professional. And most of them know that the fans love them. Such actions on the field would harm the reputation of the world’s biggest football league.