Buckle up, San Francisco 49ers fans, if you plan on watching Sunday’s game in Santa Clara.
Early indications are that the Niners’ afternoon tilt against the Denver Broncos, scheduled to kick off at 1:25 pm, could be the second-hottest game on record at Levi’s Stadium. Temperatures will climb as high as 94 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
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The previous high for a 49ers game at Levi’s, set in 2024 against the Arizona Cardinals, was 95 degrees. The 49ers wilted in the second half of that game, relinquishing a 13-point second-half lead in a one-point loss.
In San Francisco’s 36-30 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, defensive tackle Gracen Halton suffered from cramps. Temperatures hovered around 70 degrees. Players could be in store for a more serious risk of cramping and dehydration in Week 4.
General manager John Lynch tried to downplay the heat’s impact Thursday on KNBR, noting that because the 49ers now have a covering above their bench (new this season), players get some respite while they are off the field.
“I think people might call Californians soft if we were complaining about this,” Lynch said of the playing conditions, citing his days with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he played in Florida’s extreme heat and humidity early in the season. “We got pretty good weather out here, and I think our guys will be ready.
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“There may be cramping issues, but there’s been cramping issues when it’s 75 degrees, too. Ultimately, both teams are gonna be in it. … I have noticed, though, it kind of keeps trending up for Sunday. We’ll see what it is. I think our guys will be equipped and well prepared for it.”
Tight end George Kittle echoed Lynch, saying the 49ers are “pretty blessed” with “a nice breeze every single day.” That won’t be the case on Sunday, but Kittle does not see it as an excuse.
“The Dolphins play in crazy heat every single day, and then the entire East Coast plays in crazy games at the end of the year,” Kittle said. “So, show up and play football, get an IV.”
Fans will be on their own, especially on the east side of the stadium, which is exposed to direct afternoon sunlight. Blazing heat will make it uncomfortable for them to sit and watch a game for three hours or more, and prior to the game late morning and early afternoon tailgating could be similarly warmer.
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Briefly:
The following players did not practice Thursday for the second straight day: Wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs), defensive ends Keion White (hamstring) and Nick Bosa (calf), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) and defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. (ankle). Defensive ends Romello Height (hand) and Mykel Williams (knee), and tackle Trent Williams (neck) were limited. … The 49ers promoted wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the 53-man roster and signed wide receiver Malik Turner to the practice squad. In a corresponding move, the team waived wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
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This article originally published at 49ers’ game against Denver could be second hottest ever at Levi’s Stadium.
