Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
COVID-19 could alter 49ers’ East Coast travel plans
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The San Francisco 49ers received a gift from NFL schedule makers when their two East Coast road games — against the New York Jets and Giants — were scheduled in during back-to-back weeks in September. The team planned to make a 10-day trip out of it, avoiding a rigorous back-and-forth travel plan from coast to coast, much as it did last year between road matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals to open the season.
"Just being on the West Coast, and the time change, how it is a little tough for your body to adjust to those 10 a.m. (Pacific time, 1:00 p.m. Eastern) kickoffs if you're not used to it,"
head coach Kyle Shanahan explained last year. "Once you do that for one game, and when you have them back-to-back, to fly (back) out here, how much it messes you up throughout the week, trying to just get back to normal. And then to have to fly back again on that Friday, then you're messed up again."
The hope in May, when the schedule was released, was that the concern surrounding the coronavirus pandemic would be diminishing by September.
That isn't the case.
Now, the 49ers may not be allowed to stay on the road for an extended period of time, creating a significant disadvantage for the team, which may have to make back-to-back-to-back-to-back cross-country journeys.
"The eight teams that have such back-to-backs will probably have to file 'IDER plans,' which stands for infectious disease emergency response,"
wrote Peter King of NBC Sports. "These are detailed travel and sequestering plans that the league and the union will need to approve before a team is able to stay on the road for that length of time. I'm told the league is going to strongly urge teams not to stay on the road that long, despite the inconvenience for the teams involved. Stay tuned for that one."
And it's not just the back-to-back East Coast matchups that may be impacted. San Francisco typically travels for road games on Fridays after practice. They will then hold a walk-through on the road that Saturday in preparation for a Sunday matchup.
That may have to change too.
"The NFL is also likely to put a rule in for this year that no team can travel two days ahead of a scheduled game," added King.
That's because players will need to undergo their final pre-game COVID-19 tests on Friday mornings and wait 24 hours for the results. That means teams may not know if a player can travel until Saturday morning and could expect a late arrival at their destination — with a game the next day.
Other than the Week 2 and 3 matchups against the two New York teams, San Francisco is scheduled to play the New England Patriots during Week 7. The team is also slated to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 10. While that last one is not an East Coast game (Central Time Zone), it still involves a significant amount of travel for the defending NFC champions.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers mailbag: What are the latest free agency moves? Could Arik Armstead still return to SF? Who will be the second starting DT?
As we move into the new NFL year, the San Francisco 49ers have been making moves. There have been new additions to the team, and there have been departures. You can keep up with the latest 49ers roster changes here at 49ers Webzone.
So far, the 49ers have added:
DT Jordan Elliott (Browns, 2-yr, $10M)
DE Leonard Floyd (Bills, 2-yr, $20M)
LB Eric Kendricks (Chargers, 1-yr)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Panthers, 2-yr, $18M)
DT Maliek Collins (trade with Texans)
I can't help but notice that all these players are on defense. Does this mean the 49ers will go heavy on offense during the draft? Perhaps. We'll see how the rest
Charvarius Ward willing to help 49ers land Tre'Davious White
The San Francisco 49ers likely aren't finished fortifying their defense and have reportedly expressed interest in bolstering their defensive backfield. If they require assistance making a significant move, one 49ers player is prepared to lend a helping hand.
Last week, the Buffalo Bills released All-Pro cornerback Tre'Davious White, who appears to be an ideal fit for San Francisco's needs opposite Charvarius Ward. Over the weekend, Ward took to social media to reveal that he and White share the same agent and that he is willing to nudge the free-agent defensive back in the right direction.
Ward described White as a "hand in glove
49ers LB Fred Warner and wife Sydney welcome first baby
According to PEOPLE, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner and his wife, Sydney, have welcomed their first baby, son Beau Anthony, into the world. Beau was born on Thursday, March 7, in San Jose, California.
San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner and Wife Sydney Welcome First Baby: 'Over the Moon' (Exclusive) https://t.co/wrEEOTCeKJ— People (@people) March 11,
49ers signing QB Josh Dobbs to a 1-year deal
The San Francisco 49ers are bolstering their quarterback room by adding a new player. According to his agent, Mike McCartney, the team is signing Josh Dobbs to a one-year deal. McCartney announced the news on social media, confirming the acquisition.
Congrats @josh_dobbs1 agreeing to a 1 year deal with the @49ers— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 18,