Shanahan jokes 49ers are 'in the future' before historic Rams matchup in Australia

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan used Australia’s time-zone difference to joke that his team was “in the future” and therefore did not yet need to disclose injury updates ahead of the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. The game at Melbourne Cricket Ground will be the NFL’s first regular-season contest in Australia, with San Francisco arriving more than a week early to acclimate while the Rams planned to arrive shortly before kickoff. Shanahan initially disliked losing the 49ers’ effective home-field advantage at the Rams’ stadium and had hoped the matchup would be played in Mexico, but he now expects San Francisco fans to provide strong support in Melbourne. The 49ers have prepared for the local 10:35 a.m. kickoff by practicing in the morning and consulting experts on sleep and nutrition, while players have said they are increasingly enthusiastic about the experience.