Green Bay Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell raised eyebrows on Wednesday as he was conspicuously absent from practice, just a day after sharing a pointed message on social media about playing through injuries.
In a Tuesday post, Campbell expressed his decision to no longer go the extra mile and play through injuries, stating, “I’m not going out my way anymore, and I’m not playing through injuries anymore cause when s–t goes wrong, they always use it against you.” Throughout the season, Campbell has grappled with injuries to his ankle and more recently, his neck.
The following day, Campbell’s absence from practice was attributed to the neck injury, with Coach Matt LaFleur explaining that the team opted to give him a day to “get his body back.” LaFleur, while acknowledging Campbell’s dedication and preparation, mentioned the toll a long football season takes on players’ bodies, suggesting Campbell’s frustration might be a natural response.
Despite LaFleur’s assurance of respect for Campbell, the linebacker declined to address questions about his social media post when interacting with the media.
The Packers find themselves in a challenging situation with back-to-back losses to the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, jeopardizing their playoff aspirations after a seemingly positive turn of events. The team’s defense, especially scrutinized for its recent performances, faces criticism, particularly in light of Baker Mayfield’s success against them in the most recent game.