Niners barred from playing at home

The 49ers and other teams may need to find a temporary new home after Santa Clara County has banned all contact sports from holding games and practices for the next three weeks.

County officials issued the new directives on Saturday in response to rising cases of the coronavirus in the area. The rules go into effect on Monday and will remain through Dec. 21.

The 49ers have home games scheduled for Dec. 7 against the Bills and Dec. 13 against Washington at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, and they also practice at that site.

“We are aware of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s emergency directive,” the 49ers said in a statement. “We are working with the NFL and our partners on operational plans and will share details as they are confirmed.”

The rules also will impact the NHL’s Sharks and college teams at Stanford and San Jose State.

The NHL hasn’t announced a date for the start of training camp, but the Sharks have said they would look into alternate sites if needed.

Stanford and San Jose State also have several sports in season. The Cardinal have one scheduled home football game left, Dec. 12 against Oregon State.

► The Saints placed starting left tackle Terron Armstead on the COVID-19 list on Saturday, leaving him ineligible for Sunday’s game at Denver. The Saints also ruled out return specialist Deonte Harris, who had been listed as questionable a day earlier because of neck injury that kept him out of practice this past week.

► The Steelers placed running back James Conner on the COVID-19 list on Saturday, joining three teammates already on the list as well as more than a dozen Ravens, casting further doubt on the playing of a rescheduled game currently set for Tuesday.

► The Ravens have placed six more players on the COVID-19 list, including outside linebacker Jaylon Ferguson and right tackle D.J. Fluker.

Defensive lineman Broderick Washington was also placed on the COVID-19 list Saturday, along with offensive lineman Will Holden.