49ers face Los Angeles Rams in historic NFL opener at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 10, 2026, 11:12 PM
Last updated Sep 10, 2026
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams open the 2026 NFL season on Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. This marks the first time the league has held a regular-season game in the country. San Francisco enters the contest following an offseason featuring several personnel challenges, including the absence of Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left-squad list and a season-ending injury to Ricky Pearsall. Additionally, defensive tackle Alfred Collins is ruled out for the year after sustaining a patellar tendon injury during practice in Australia. Conversely, the 49ers will feature Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Fred Warner in their active lineup. The Rams enter the matchup with newly acquired defensive player Myles Garrett, though Aaron Donald remains absent from the traveling roster. Both teams concluded the previous season with 12-5 records.
- •The 49ers and Rams play the first NFL regular-season game in Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- •San Francisco defensive tackle Alfred Collins is out for the 2026 season with a torn patellar tendon.
- •Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Fred Warner are active for San Francisco.
- •Aaron Donald did not travel to Australia and will not play for the Rams.
- •The Rams added 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to their roster.
- 11:12 PMYahoo Sports — 49ers news: Colin Cowherd sends urgent message to San Francisco for Rams game
"The San Francisco 49ers enter Thursday night’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia with plenty at stake, according to Colin Cowherd. The NFC West rivals will open their 2026 seasons at Melbourne Cricket Ground in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. Both teams finished 12-5 last season, but their postseason runs […] The post 49ers news: Colin Cowherd sends urgent message to San Francisco for Rams game appeared first on ClutchPoints.
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