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SF 49ers: Week 1 game-time weather, injury report vs. Cardinals

By Peter Panacy

A general view of Levi's Stadium before the San Francisco 49ers preseason game against the Denver Broncos (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
A general view of Levi's Stadium before the San Francisco 49ers preseason game against the Denver Broncos (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The SF 49ers host the Cardinals in Week 1, and Niner Noise provides the latest weather and injury reports ahead of this NFC West bout.

The SF 49ers look to defend their NFC crown this season with a Week 1 home bout against the visiting Arizona Cardinals this Sunday, although an odd offseason could only get weirder during the Niners’ home opener.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced San Francisco to halt all fan attendance at Levi’s Stadium, so there shouldn’t be any concern about how those who would otherwise attend should dress in the still-regular early September heat in Santa Clara. But statewide fires have already cast some light, both figuratively and literally, on what could be seen during Sunday’s contest.

Smoke in the Bay Area, somewhat hindered by the Pacific Coast marine layer, created some eerie apocalypse-looking skies in week leading up to the game.

The below photo, taken at the SF 49ers’ Bay Area natives, the San Francisco Giants’ home at Oracle Park, speaks to some of these unique weather conditions:

An ESPN report from earlier in the week reported the air-quality index during this week’s practices was hovering in the 60s. On Friday, the number was hovering close to 100. Anything over 100 is considered hazardous, and the NFL won’t allow teams to practice or play in an outdoor venue when the AQI reaches 200.

Unfortunately, the fires throughout California are difficult to predict, so it’s not quite certain just how the air quality could affect both the Niners and Cardinals on Sunday.

Cardinals vs. SF 49ers: Game-day weather for Week 1

Under almost any other circumstances, the forecast for Week 1 would be ideal for an early September game at Levi’s Stadium.

The weather at kickoff is forecast to be 76 degrees at kickoff with sunny skies and a northwesterly wind at four miles per hour.

The humidity is at 61 percent, which could be a bit of a bonus for firefighting efforts leading up to the game, potentially cutting down on the amount of smoke in the air leading up to game time.

Cardinals vs. SF 49ers: Injury report

San Francisco had the following players listed on its Week 1 injury report:

  • WR Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring): questionable
  • OL Ben Garland (ankle): questionable
  • WR Deebo Samuel (foot): out
  • CB Jason Verrett (hamstring): out

Samuel has been out all offseason after suffering a Jones fracture in his left foot, missing training camp as a result. There was some initial hope he’d be available for Week 1, but him not practicing suggests the Niners will give him at least another week to get closer to 100 percent.

Aiyuk, meanwhile, was limited in practice after suffering a hamstring injury halfway through training camp.

The biggest boost, though, could be Garland returning from an ankle injury. Garland is expected to fill the void at center with the starter, Weston Richburg (knee), sidelined on the PUP list for the first six weeks of the regular season.

Meanwhile, Arizona’s injury report is as follows:

  • OL Josh Jones (ankle): out
  • TE Maxx Williams (ankle): questionable
  • WR KeeSean Johnson (non-injury): reserve/COVID-19 list

Next. 3 reasons why Jerick McKinnon breaks out in 2020. dark

The 49ers and Cardinals kick off on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium… smoke-permitting, of course.