Shanahan explains how air quality might impact 49ers' opener originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The 49ers had no plans Friday morning to change their practice squad despite the worsening air quality in Santa Clara.
The air quality index rated at 194 at 11 a.m. in Santa Clara due to the fires in Northern and Central California. The 49ers are scheduled to practice at 12:15 p.m.
The threshold for canceling practices or postponing NFL games is 200.
The 49ers are scheduled to open the regular season on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
On Friday, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was asked during his appearance on KNBR if the air quality has an impact on the team’s ability to get outside and play football.
NBC Sports
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“Once it gets to 200 it does,” Shanahan said, “because you’re not allowed to be out there after that.
“If it gets to 200 that would be a huge deal. I know when it’s above 150 that does affect a certain group of people that happen to be higher risk, pre-existing conditions, if it got above 150 you could lose a few players, but 200 is the mark where you can’t go out there.”
Air quality is difficult to predict. At this stage it is not known whether the 49ers, Cardinals and NFL have discussed any contingency plans in case the air quality becomes too dangerous for the teams to play their Week 1 game as scheduled.
