49ers practice this week will be held at a location near State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.GETTY IMAGES
The 49ers will "practice in Arizona this week as they prepare for their 'home' game" against the Bills next Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, according to a source cited by Matt Maiocco of NBC SPORTS BAY AREA. Earlier yesterday, the 49ers announced that they "would play their Week 13 and Week 14 home games in Arizona after Santa Clara County issued an order on Saturday that bans contact sports due to a surge in COVID-19 cases." Maiocco reported the players were informed yesterday that they will leave tomorrow to "travel to Arizona for the week of practices." Another source indicated that the team will "practice at a location near State Farm Stadium" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 11/30). In Dallas, David Moore cites sources as saying that the 49ers were "in discussions with the Cowboys" as well. However, one source said that warmer weather in Arizona over that period was "one of the factors that tipped the scales" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/1). In S.F., Ann Killion notes whether the 49ers will be allowed to play their season finale at Levi’s Stadium against the Seahawks on Jan. 3 "remains to be seen, though at this point in the surging pandemic it seems doubtful." The 49ers’ move is "unprecedented," as teams and games have been "temporarily relocated, but usually because of a physical problem with a stadium" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/1).
LOGICAL FIT: In Phoenix, Katherine Fitzgerald notes it "all worked out for the 49ers to relocate to Arizona because there were no conflicts with the Cardinals," who play host to the Rams this Sunday and are at the Giants the following week (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 12/1). 49ers CEO Jed York yesterday thanked Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill, tweeting, "Very appreciative of Arizona welcoming us during these unprecedented times." On Sunday, after the 49ers’ 23-20 road win against the Rams, coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that the team "would create bubble-like conditions wherever they stay between games" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/1).
WILL FAMILY ATTEND? A team official indicated that whether the 49ers will be "permitted to have a similar contingent of family members in the stands is one of the many logistical issues the organization is currently determining." The Cardinals had 4,200 fans inside State Farm Stadium for their previous two games. But the Cardinals "have not made any announcement on whether fans will be allowed at their home games beyond Dec. 6" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 11/30).
