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Christian McCaffrey Downplays Jet Lag Concern Ahead of 49ers’ Australia Game 1
The San Francisco 49ers spent a full week getting comfortable in Australia, while the Los Angeles Rams are taking the opposite route. The Rams plans to arrive roughly 24 hours before kickoff, betting that staying closer to its Pacific Time body clock will help on game day.
However, Christian McCaffrey is not convinced jet lag is the biggest issue. After making the 16-hour trip across the Pacific, the 49ers star says the flight itself was tougher than the time-zone adjustment, and San Francisco’s detailed preparation plan appears to be working.
Christian McCaffrey And The San Francisco 49ers Trust Their Australia Travel Plan
San Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffreySan Francisco 49ers Christian McCaffrey
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On September 7, McCaffrey said he already feels like himself ahead of Thursday’s season opener against the Rams. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan reported that the running back credited the 49ers staff for preparing players well before the trip. They left for Melbourne on September 2, giving them more than a week to recover and adjust before the game.
McCaffrey said the team received an unusually detailed travel protocol. Players were given instructions covering sleep, meals, caffeine, supplements and when to stay awake or nap.
“The jet lag didn’t hit me that bad. It’s more about how long you’re on the plane.”
Christian McCaffrey on the flight to Australia:
“The jet lag didn't hit me that bad. It's more about how long you're on the plane."
(The Rams are leaving 24 hours before the game) pic.twitter.com/BhsMt0sGfl
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 7, 2026
That distinction matters because the Rams are taking a completely different approach. They plan to fly into Melbourne just one day before the game, following the strategy they used successfully for last season’s London trip. The idea is to avoid fully adjusting to the 17-hour time difference and instead keep the players’ body clocks closer to Pacific Time.
The unusual kickoff could make that gamble interesting. The game starts at 10:35 a.m. local time in Melbourne, which is 5:35 p.m. Pacific on Thursday. Sleep specialists have noted that the morning kickoff may favor the Rams’ approach, as their players may still be operating on their usual West Coast schedule.
McCaffrey, however, believes the Niners have done enough to handle the other side of the equation. He said recovery has been a major focus since the team landed, with players carefully managing food, caffeine, naps, and training.
That could become one of the biggest behind-the-scenes battles of the opener. Both teams are essentially testing competing theories on how NFL players should handle extreme international travel. For now, McCaffrey has no complaints. He admitted the flight was the bigger grind; however, he said the jet lag itself has been manageable with the 49ers’ protocol.
That gives the Niners one less concern heading into their historic opener. The real test comes Thursday, when the 49ers’ week-long preparation meets the Rams’ last-minute arrival strategy on the field.