49ers-Packers are expected to play TNF despite COVID test

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The 49ers and Packers are still set to play Thursday night after yet another positive COVID test.

Thursday’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers has been in jeopardy at several points throughout the week. Green Bay running backs Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon are both out because of the COVID protocols and then came the news the 49ers had to shutdown their facility Wednesday because of a positive test.

But ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared some good news for fans desperate to watch football Thursday night.

Packers still scheduled to fly to SF at 4:15 local time today for Thursday night’s game vs. 49ers; there are no changes to their schedule at this time.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 4, 2020

49ers-Packers game going on as scheduled

Shutting down the team facility one day before a game is not good news for the 49ers. The team will already be without Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, and Tevin Coleman. Now preparation must be done remotely during a short week with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers coming to town.

The NFL is at the halfway point and there will come a time when games can no longer be canceled once bye weeks begin to run out. That explains why the game is still on even with the 49ers being forced to work from home.

The hope now is that contact tracing doesn’t reveal any sort of outbreak. The Packers still planning to get on the plane and fly out west should indicate good news, but we will still wait and see.

This remains a crucial game for both teams regardless of all the other factors. The 4-4 49ers are currently in last place in a tough NFC West division and need to keep pace with the other three teams. Meanwhile, the Packers are trying to solidify their own division lead over the unpredictable Chicago Bears.

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Properly containing COVID-19 is a battle for all NFL teams and the 49ers did the right thing by shutting down, even if it hurts the chances of winning Thursday’s game.