Packers’ De’Vondre Campbell: ‘I’m Not Talking About Nothing’

Was De’Vondre Campbell upset at the team or fans? And will Campbell play anymore this season? He refused to talk about his social-media post on Wednesday.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – De’Vondre Campbell created quite a mess on social media on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, he had no desire to use a broom and dustpan to clean it up.

“I’m not talking about nothing that happened on the Internet,” Campbell said at the end of Wednesday’s media session. “If y’all want to talk about the Panthers, we can, but I ain’t answering no questions about nothing on no Internet.”

Of course, nothing “happened” on the Internet. It was Campbell’s typing that caused a storm, one that strengthened a bit when he didn’t practice on Wednesday.

Not going out my way anymore and I’m not playing through injuries anymore cause when shit goes wrong they always use it against you. I’m treating everyone accordingly and giving them the same energy they giving me. Focus on yourself and your mental 59 you owe it to yourself 🤝🏿

— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) December 19, 2023

“Not going out my way anymore and I’m not playing through injuries anymore cause when sh** goes wrong they always use it against you,” he wrote. “I’m treating everyone accordingly and giving them the same energy they giving me.”

Was Campbell criticizing fans who were critical of his performance during a 34-20 loss to the Buccaneers? Or was he criticizing coaches/staff who were critical of his performance?

Because Campbell wouldn’t explain, coach Matt LaFleur was the one who had to bring the mop and bucket to Aisle 59.

LaFleur said he and Campbell had a “great” conversation but not about the meaning behind Campbell’s post.

“I did not directly ask,” he said. “We just kind of chummed it up.”

Ultimately, with the season winding down, the only thing that matters is whether Campbell will play on Sunday at Carolina, the following Sunday at Minnesota or the home finale against Chicago.

Everyone in the NFL is hurt, especially this time of year. Having missed four full games and parts of two others, if you take Campbell at his word, he might be done for the rest of the season.

“Dre’s a guy that I go back a long time with, all the way back to Atlanta,” LaFleur said. “I’ve always respected the man and how he works (and) how he approaches the game, quite honestly. He pours his heart and soul into this thing.

“I know it’s frustrating. You look at [Year 2 through Year 6 of his] career, I don’t think he missed a game. And then the last two, he’s missed some games and he’s been battling through. He’s missed games this year. He's been on and off the injury report. Certainly, I think that comes with a lot of frustration when you don’t feel you’re at your best because of health reasons.”

The big-picture perspective is how Campbell’s presence, or lack thereof, could impact a young locker room. If a veteran starter and former team captain isn’t willing to play through injuries, what is the message for players like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, a pair of rookie receivers who played hurt against the Buccaneers?

“I’m not overly concerned, to be honest with you,” LaFleur said. “I think just in my experience with these young guys, especially, how they show up each and every day, I saw it today. There was great energy out there. There was great energy throughout the day. And they were competing.

“Certainly, we try to help them out a little bit in terms of as the season progresses, have to scale back a lot of your practices. A lot of it is above the neck. But we did have a competitive period out there today, and I thought guys were competing. They were playing hard.”

Campbell didn’t practice on Wednesday after aggravating the stinger that kept him out on Thanksgiving. LaFleur said he’d give Campbell “the week” to get himself ready for Sunday at Carolina.

“I appreciate Matt, for sure,” Campbell said. “That’s my guy, I’ve known him for a while, so I definitely appreciate him.”

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