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Shanahan, McVay brush off teams' differing travel plans as factor in game
Confirmed
In Short: In their Week 1 matchup in Melbourne, the Rams and 49ers focused on the game rather than their differing travel plans.
Rams head coach Sean McVay dismissed the travel narrative as a factor in their loss, stating, 'I'd make no excuses for my team's loss, including the travel narrative.
The 49ers, who traveled to Melbourne a week before the game, hope to start their Super Bowl push with a victory against the Rams. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald did not travel with the team, while star running back Christian McCaffrey is set to play.
The Rams and 49ers faced off in Melbourne, with the 49ers traveling to the venue a week in advance. Shanahan also announced the 2026 team captains and discussed the challenges and excitement of playing an international game.
What's confirmed
- Rams head coach Sean McVay dismissed the travel narrative as a factor in their loss, stating, 'I'd make no excuses for my team's loss, including the travel narrative.
- The 49ers, who traveled to Melbourne a week before the game, hope to start their Super Bowl push with a victory against the Rams. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald did not travel with the team, while star running back Christian McCaffrey is set to play.
- The Rams and 49ers faced off in Melbourne, with the 49ers traveling to the venue a week in advance. Shanahan also announced the 2026 team captains and discussed the challenges and excitement of playing an international game.
What's still developing
- More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts During his postgame news conference, Rams head coach Sean McVay said he'd make no excuses for his team's loss, including the travel narrative.
- There was much made of the different travel plans the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams made before their Week 1 contest Friday morning in Melbourne, Australia.
- The star running back arrives in Australia as one of the most important pieces of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, with San Francisco hoping to begin its Super Bowl push with a statement victory against one of its biggest NFC rivals.
- McCaffrey returned to full participation during the week and is not carrying an injury designation into the game, putting him on track to be one of Brock Purdy’s most important offensive weapons against the Rams.
- ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe said Penix’s limited preparation was “a huge factor” in Tagovailoa getting the opening assignment.
- MORE: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan uses Australia time difference to dodge injury report Tagovailoa, meanwhile, improved during the final stretch of camp after an uneven start.
- MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins is out for the season after tearing his patellar tendon, coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday.
- “That was a big loss,” said Shanahan, whose team also lost defensive end Sam Okuayinonu to a right foot injury.