49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made an appearance at the San Francisco 49ers training camp after reports surfaced of a car accident earlier this month that left him with multiple injuries.
During his time on the field, Shanahan stood alongside 49ers general manager John Lynch during the team period. According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, Shanahan was wearing sunglasses and a soft cast on his left hand while the swelling on his face had improved since the accident.
Players Kyle Juszczyk, Fred Warner, and Dre Greenlaw welcomed their head coach, who spent over 30 minutes at the camp.
“The 49ers reported the accident on Saturday, stating that Shanahan sustained ‘non-life-threatening injuries.’ This has led to him taking on a ‘limited’ role during training sessions,” according to the report.
Shanahan’s injuries from the crash included a broken nose, three broken ribs, a broken hand, and over 40 facial stitches. Additionally, he suffered a significant concussion in the July 14 accident near his northern California home.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Nick Wagoner, 49ers assistant head coach Chris Foerster, 64, will handle some of Shanahan’s responsibilities until his full recovery. Lynch mentioned that cooperation among the team staff would be necessary to support Shanahan’s absence.
Last season, Shanahan led San Francisco to a 12-5 record and an NFL Playoff spot. They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles at home but were subsequently overwhelmed by the Seattle Seahawks, who claimed the Super Bowl victory.
The 49ers rank among the top teams with promising odds for the 2027 Super Bowl. Their acquisition of Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans adds strength to their offense, supporting quarterback Brock Purdy. The team is poised to compete in the NFC again.
San Francisco opens their preseason with a home match against the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 13. Foerster might assume the acting head coach role, as Shanahan still needs to clear concussion protocols before returning to full-time duties.
Shaanahan is expected to be fit for the 49ers’ first regular-season game on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.