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It might be more challenging than usual for the San Francisco 49ers to get motivated for football when they run onto the field at Levi's Stadium to face the Arizona Cardinals on September 13. That's because there may be no fans in the seats cheering for them.
So much for having a home-field advantage.
The coronavirus pandemic could force several NFL teams to play without fans in their home stadiums. The city of Philadelphia prohibits outdoor events involving more than 50 people. That would apply to Lincoln Financial Field and the Eagles. However, city officials made it clear that the mandate is
a "fluid situation" and could change.
49ers defensive lineman
Arik Armstead joined
The Breakaway podcast this past week and was asked about the possibility of playing at Levi's Stadium, and potentially opposing teams' stadiums, without fans in attendance.
"It's definitely going to be interesting,"
Armstead said. "It's something that none of us has really gone through. So, it's going to be interesting, but I'm missing football and am just excited to get back in any fashion, really. I miss playing, miss being around the guys, so hopefully, we can be back in some capacity."
Which side of the football has more of an advantage with an empty stadium? After all, no fans or even limited fans would make road games against teams like the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints, both of which are on the 49ers' schedule, a lot easier.
"The game's definitely going to be a little weird, but we're professional athletes, and can make those adjustments," Armstead continued. "I think no crowd gives an advantage to -- I would say gives it to the offense. Defensively, we communicate, but we don't have to communicate as much. So, when the crowd is there, and they're loud and rowdy, it definitely affects the offense a bunch.
"But it's going to be a challenge for both, too. Defensively, you make a big play, and it's kind of quiet. Really, no momentum shift or anything like that. It could be a little weird."
As for the 49ers themselves, Armstead doesn't foresee a significant drop-off from last season. The team has enough talent to overcome any Super Bowl hangover, and Armstead believes it could even be improved.
"Every season brings new challenges, but I feel like everyone is just getting more and more comfortable with one another, settling into our roles, and what our coaches ask of us, and what we need to do to go out there to get victories," Armstead explained. "So I think we've been getting better and better each year since Shanahan took over.
"I continue to see that growth in us, and we want to improve from last year, and I think we have the roster to do it, so I'm excited to get back to work."
While A.J. Brown and Deebo Samuel maintain a strong friendship, the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver is injecting some friendly banter into the mix ahead of the highly anticipated Week 13 showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Eagles.
Brown has declared it "troll [Deebo Samuel] week," urging Eagles fans to engage with the star 49ers player ahead of this crucial matchup.
Eagle fans… it's troll @19problemz week. You have my permission. 🤣
The San Francisco 49ers are turning to a familiar face for a workout following injuries to two safeties, Talanoa Hufanga and George Odum. Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in Week 11, while Odum sustained a torn biceps on Thanksgiving.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, veteran defensive back Anthony Averett will work out for the 49ers on Monday. Averett briefly joined San Francisco's roster during training camp in August but was released with an injury settlement on August 17.
Veteran DB Anthony Averett is working out today for the
The San Francisco 49ers announced that safety Talanoa Hufanga has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To fill Hufanga's roster spot, the team signed offensive lineman Ben Bartch off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad to a one-year deal.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Bartch (6-6, 315) was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Throughout his four-year career with the Jaguars (2020-23), he has appeared in 41 games (20 starts). In 2023, he appeared in eight games and made three starts. Bartch was waived by Jacksonville on October 31, 2023, and signed to the team's
The San Francisco 49ers announced several roster moves ahead of tonight's Thanksgiving matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Cornerback Samuel Womack, who was sidelined with an MCL injury and placed on the injured reserve list on September 16, has been activated. Womack, a fifth-round draft pick from Toledo in 2022, had his practice window opened on November 6.
To accommodate Womack's return, cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles has been waived. Jean-Charles, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, played in five games for the team and recorded one tackle.
Furthermore, the 49ers have activated offensive linemen Jesse Davis and Corey Luciano from the practice squad through standard