SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers have shut down their facility after receiver Kendrick Bourne tested positive for the coronavirus but are still scheduled to play Green Bay on Thursday night as of now.
The team said the positive test came back Wednesday morning and Bourne immediately went into self-quarantine after getting the diagnosis. He was later placed on the COVID-19 list.
”Our organization has entered the NFL’s intensive protocol and we are working with the league on contact tracing to identify high risk individuals,” the team said in a statement.
”All team functions will be conducted virtually today. The health and safety of our players, staff and community are the organization’s highest priority. We will continue to work closely with the NFL and medical professionals and will follow their direction.”
A person familiar with the plans says the Thursday night game is still set to be played as scheduled. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t made any announcement.
The Packers are scheduled to leave Green Bay later Wednesday afternoon.
Bourne’s absence is the latest blow to an already thin receiver group. Bourne is the 49ers’ third-leading receiver with 25 receptions for 352 yards and a touchdown.
All-Pro tight end George Kittle leads the team in receptions but is likely out for the season with a broken foot. Deebo Samuel is out this week with a hamstring injury and Richie James Jr.’s status is in doubt because of a sprained ankle.
The Niners also released 2018 second-round pick Dante Pettis earlier this week, leaving rookie Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Taylor as the only wide receivers on the active roster with a catch this season.
San Francisco also could call up a receiver from the practice squad with Kevin White, River Cracraft and Chris Finke all options.
This is the first positive coronavirus test for the 49ers since the start of the regular season. They had three players on the COVID-19 list in the preseason, with James, running back Jeff Wilson Jr. and linebacker Fred Warner all spending time on the list.
The Packers are dealing with their own issues with the coronavirus after running back AJ Dillon tested positive on Monday. Running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin were placed on the COVID-19 list on Tuesday as ”high-risk” contacts to Dillon.
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