Kyle Shanahan isn’t pretending the 49ers-Rams opener in Australia is a normal road game. In fact, he’s calling it something a lot closer to a home date that San Francisco lost.
The 49ers are already in Melbourne, settling in and handling the media and ambassadorial work that comes with the NFL’s trip overseas. The Rams, meanwhile, are still in Los Angeles as both teams get ready to open the season some 16 hours from SoFi Stadium.
That setup has given Shanahan plenty of room to joke about the weirdness of it all, while also making a serious point about how valuable these 17 games are.
“When I said that, that was nothing against Australia or anything. That’s just about competition and how important our 17 games are," Shanahan told reporters.
"It’s cool for us, just we always have an advantage of having one, I see it as one home game a year in L.A. Just the way our fans are and take over that stadium. So, it was disappointing to let them off the hook and get them out of that.
"But, I have a feeling knowing how our fans roll, I have a feeling they won’t be much different here. I expect to have a good showing.
"I wouldn’t say it hit me right on the plane, but after being here for a couple days, this is the right time to be here, it’s the right place to be and it’s the right team to go against.”
That’s the part that makes this matchup interesting. The 49ers have so often turned SoFi Stadium into something close to their own building, and this time that familiar edge is gone. Still, Shanahan doesn’t sound convinced that the San Francisco crowd will suddenly go quiet just because the game is in Melbourne.
The stage adds to the whole thing. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the world’s most iconic venues, and it gives the NFL a backdrop loaded with history from all kinds of sports. It also offers the 49ers a chance to put their fan base on display in a different corner of the world.
The opener is set for Friday morning in Melbourne, which means Thursday night in California. For San Francisco, getting out of the gate with a win would be the cleanest possible start.
In Other News...
Grant Cohn Is Somehow Becoming Part Of The 49ers Opener Story
The 49ers trip to Australia for their international opener against the Rams has produced the usual flood of game-week content, but one familiar Bay Area voice has become part of the conversation for a different reason. Grant Cohn, the veteran reporter known for his sharp criticism of San Francisco, has drawn attention overseas not for a practice note or matchup breakdown, but for the way he has documented the experience around the game.
His social media posts about local food and cultural stops have caught on with audiences well beyond the standard football crowd, turning a routine road assignment into something of a sideshow. Cohn has long been a polarizing figure around the 49ers because of his public clashes with players and the confrontational style he often brings to his coverage, and now even that reputation is being folded into a story that started with the opener itself. [Read more 🡒]
Deebo Samuels New Role Puts 49ers Rookie In Week 1 Spotlight
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Deebo Samuels designation as the primary kick returner adds another layer to the picture, hinting at a reduced load on offense and opening the door for Stribling to see real early-season snaps. For a San Francisco passing game already adjusting on the fly, the rookies next chance may come right away, and it will be worth watching how quickly the staff leans into that opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
49ers First Injury Report Raises An Early Lineup Concern
The first injury report of the season gave the 49ers an immediate dose of reality, with several familiar names showing up before the week has even really settled in. Nick Bosa and George Kittle were both listed, and the report also brought a new concern on the defensive side when rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins appeared for the first time with a knee injury. It is the kind of early-week update that can quickly shape how a staff approaches practice, especially when core pieces are already under the microscope.
For now, the encouraging part is who was not there. Christian McCaffrey was absent from the report, and Mike Evans also did not appear, which helps keep at least some of the focus on the players who are actually dealing with issues. Still, Collins new injury designation stands out as the one to monitor, because even in September, the 49ers know how quickly a depth concern can become a bigger storyline if it lingers. [Read more 🡒]