The San Francisco 49ers are looking for a place to practice and play after Santa Clara County has paused sports – from high schools to the pros – for three weeks in an attempt to deal with the coronavirus.
After Sunday, the 49ers' next home game is next Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. The Niners will need a place to practice Wednesday or Thursday. The NFL has told all teams that team facilities will be closed Monday and Tuesday because of rising caseloads nationally and Thanksgiving gatherings.
“We’ve come to a place where our cases and hospitalizations are so high we have to do something to settle them down,” Santa Clara County health official Dr. Sara Cody said at a news conference.
The three-week ban also would impact the Niners' scheduled home game against Washington on Dec. 13.
The Washington Post reported that the Niners have been working on contingency plans for more than a month, in case an alternate venue is needed. Before they leave the region, the team first will exhaust possibilities with Santa Clara County.
One option could be the Oakland Coliseum, former home of the Raiders, but Alameda County officials would need to sign off. There also is the possibility that the team could move operations there, only to have health officials impose a similar pause.
The Athletic reported Saturday night that the leading options are State Farm Stadium in Arizona or AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
