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Key player for San Francisco 49ers positive for COVID-19
KTVU's Jesse Gary reports.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - A San Francisco 49ers player tested positive for COVID-19 and the facility has been shut down as contact tracing protocol is initiated, the team confirmed Wednesday.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was placed on the team's COVID-19 list and immediately went into self-quarantine, the Niners said. The latest setback comes just one day before the team is set to host the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium for Thursday Night Football.
In a statement, the 49ers had entered the league's "intensive protocol."
"The San Francisco 49ers were informed today that a player has tested positive for COVID-19 and the individual immediately went into self-quarantine. 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 statement said.
Shaun Fletcher, an assistant professor of public relations and sport communication at San Jose State University, said the issue facing the 49ers and the league isn't financial. Rather, it's the optics and resulting public opinion from playing the game as cases of COVID-19 are surging nationally.
“They have been under fire for their inconsistent COVID-19 protocols, and putting players out on the field, potentially putting them at risk,” said Fletcher. “…Putting revenue over players' safety.”
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Now at the midway point, the season has been tough for the 4-4 Niners. Injury news has been piling up since the start and they just lost two offensive captains. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle both left Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with injuries. They'll each miss extended time, and possibly the rest of the season.
Losing Bourne, who is the team's third-leading receiver, means the 49ers are heading into Thursday's game light on this position. Deebo Samuel is out with a hamstring injury, Richie Thomas is dealing with a sprained ankle and second-round pick Dante Pettis was waived earlier this week. As of Wednesday, rookie Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Taylor are the only active receivers who have caught a pass this season.
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