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Dominick Puni set for 49ers season debut in historic Australia opener
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- Dominick Puni set for 49ers season debut in historic Australia opener
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Former Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni is set to begin his 2026 NFL season in a setting unlike any he has experienced before.
Puni and the San Francisco 49ers will open the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, marking the NFL's first regular-season game in the country. The matchup is scheduled for Friday in Melbourne, which falls on Thursday night in the United States.
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For Puni, the game represents the start of another important season in his development with San Francisco . The former Jayhawk has already established himself as a key part of the 49ers' offensive line after being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Puni's transition from Kansas to the NFL has been impressive. He started all 24 games he played during his two seasons with the Jayhawks before becoming a third-round pick. As a rookie with San Francisco, Puni started all 17 games and earned a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America's All-Rookie Team.
Now, he enters his third NFL season with expectations to continue growing into one of the important pieces of the 49ers' offensive line. San Francisco has also viewed Puni as a potential breakout candidate heading into the 2026 season.
His season debut will come with plenty of attention because of the unique circumstances surrounding the game. The 49ers traveled to Melbourne more than a week before kickoff in an attempt to adjust to the 17-hour time difference. The team has changed its practice schedule and emphasized sleep, nutrition and recovery as it prepares for the unusual morning kickoff in Australia.
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That preparation could be especially important for the offensive line, which will have to communicate and remain disciplined despite the unusual environment.
Puni will also be part of a 49ers team looking to start the season on a strong note against an NFC West rival. San Francisco enters the matchup with plenty of motivation after last season ended with a 41-6 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks .
The Rams present another major challenge, particularly with the return of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the addition of Myles Garrett to an already talented defense.
For Puni, that makes his season debut even more significant.
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The former Jayhawk will have an opportunity to show how much he has developed since entering the NFL while helping protect Brock Purdy and establish the 49ers' offense.
And with the eyes of the NFL watching from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Puni will begin his latest chapter on one of the biggest stages of his young career.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at mayor@iw2j.com
