San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan will have limited participation at the start of training camp after suffering a concussion and other injuries in a car crash earlier this month, the team announced Saturday as camp opened.
The two-car accident occurred on 14 July in Palo Alto, and Shanahan was taken to the hospital. The other driver was not hospitalized. Palo Alto police lieutenant Nicholas Martinez said there was no evidence that either driver was impaired and that both cooperated with police. No one was cited in the collision.
Injuries and recovery protocol
Niners general manager John Lynch said Shanahan sustained a concussion, along with a broken nose, broken ribs and an injured hand. “Kyle is doing good,” Lynch said Saturday. “He’s got some bumps and bruises. He did suffer a concussion in the accident, has some lingering effects from that concussion.”
Lynch said Shanahan is going through the same type of protocol that players undergo after a concussion and that doctors would determine when he will be able to be back at full speed. Lynch added that Shanahan might be on the practice field when drills start on Sunday but won’t run practice or team meetings until he is recovered.
“He’s a tremendous head coach, but this is bigger than that,” Lynch said. “This is about his well-being. We’re going to take the time necessary. And I think we’re very equipped to do that.”
Coaching staff adjustments
The Niners will conduct their first practice on Sunday with assistant head coach/offensive line coach Chris Foerster running the team, along with coordinators Klay Kubiak, Raheem Morris and Brant Boyer. Foerster has been on the 49ers’ staff since 2019 and also worked under Shanahan in Washington as an offensive line coach when Shanahan was offensive coordinator.
Lynch did not give a timeline for Shanahan’s return but said the team anticipates he will be back well before the season opener on 11 September in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.
League reaction and Shanahan's record
Rams coach Sean McVay, who worked on the same staff as Shanahan in Washington from 2010-13, said he has talked to Shanahan since the crash and was thankful everyone involved was OK. “I think any time that something like that happens, it shakes you up a little bit,” McVay said. “But most importantly, I’ve talked to him, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, and I know he’s got an incredible perspective on it all. Kyle is a stud. I have as much respect for him as anybody, and he’s a friend of mine and I love him, and I’m hoping that he’s going to have a great recovery.”
Shanahan is entering his 10th season as 49ers coach and is highly regarded for his offensive acumen. San Francisco made two Super Bowl trips under his watch (2019 and 2023 seasons) and two additional NFC title game appearances (2021 and ‘22 seasons). He has a 91-72 record in the regular season and playoffs for the 49ers, ranking third in franchise history in wins behind George Seifert (108) and Bill Walsh (102).
The team overcame significant injuries last season to finish 12-5 in the regular season and win a playoff game as Shanahan finished fifth in voting for the AP NFL Coach of the Year.
