The other scenario is the person "sitting it out" is being viewed as an ally/play piece of someone else who IS playing the game. Other people may even be saying

The other scenario is the person "sitting it out" is being viewed as an ally/play piece of someone else who IS playing the game. Other people may even be saying they represent your interests in the games they are playing because you aren't speaking up for yourself. If you aren't using your political capital, other people will use it for you. How often have you heard "X person agrees with me about this" at the office?