SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 17: San Francisco 49ers’ Kendrick Bourne (84) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CLARA — A positive COVID-19 test result prompted the 49ers to close their facility this morning for the first time this season.
The 49ers (4-4) are scheduled to host the Green Bay Packers (5-2) at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday at 5:20 p.m.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is the player who tested positive, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
A team spokesman said a statement will be forthcoming soon. Wednesday’s shutdown was first reported by NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan.
Bourne’s entry into the NFL’s coronavirus quarantine protocol would further deplete a 49ers offense that lost quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle to potential season-ending injuries Sunday. Bourne figured to start alongside Brandon Aiyuk on Thursday night as Deebo Samuel misses his second straight game with a hamstring injury.
The 49ers’ receivers depth is further in question with Richie James hampered by an ankle injury. Dante Pettis was waived Tuesday after 2 1/2 seasons with the team. Veterans Kevin White and River Cracraft could be signed off the practice squad.
Contact tracing will identify if other 49ers must be isolated along with Bourne, something their upcoming opponent also faced this week. Packers running back A.J. Dillon tested positive on Sunday, and his fellow running back Jamaal Williams and linebacker Kamal Martin are also out against the 49ers because of close-contact protocol.
The 49ers had not had a player go on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list since Fred Warner on Aug. 31, and he came off four days prior to the season opener. Richie James and Jeff Wilson also were on that list upon reporting to camp but were cleared Aug. 4.
The Packers are scheduled to fly to the Bay Area this afternoon.
There have been no indications the NFL will rescheduled the game, or what influence Santa Clara County health officials will have on that.
Levi’s Stadium served as a voting center on Tuesday. Fans have not been allowed to attend games there this season, and Santa Clara County continued to enforce that ban after state officials cleared the way last month for limited attendance.
Check back for more on this developing story.
