The San Francisco 49ers are desert-bound. The team has informed players that they will board a plane on Wednesday for Arizona and are likely to remain there for several weeks. New COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County have forced the 49ers to find a new home. Collegiate and professional contact sports are now prohibited in the area, and anyone traveling in from beyond 150 miles away must quarantine for 14 days.
Source: The #49ers players have been informed the team is leaving Wednesday for Arizona, where they will conduct their practices leading up to the Monday night game against the Bills at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) December 1, 2020
On Monday, the 49ers announced that the team will play at least the next two home games at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which it will share with the Cardinals. San Francisco must have practice facility options lined up. The team will conduct its first practice of the week on Thursday, the day after it is scheduled to arrive in the area.
The 49ers' first game at State Farm Stadium will be on Monday, December 7, against the visiting Buffalo Bills. They will then host the Washington Football Team on Sunday, December 13.
San Francisco has one more home game on its schedule — a Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. However, Santa Clara County restrictions are scheduled to expire by then, assuming they aren't extended. It is possible, depending on how the situation plays out, that the 49ers would not return to the Bay Area until after the season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan is scheduled to speak with the media on Tuesday morning. That's when we will likely learn more.