49ers' Kyle Shanahan recovering from car crash injuries; assistant takes lead at training camp

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Kyle Shanahan, the San Francisco 49ers’ 10th-year coach, is recovering from a concussion and multiple fractures after a two-car collision July 14 in Palo Alto, prompting a temporarily reduced role as training camp began Saturday.

Shanahan is not expected to be sidelined into the regular-season opener in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 (8:35 p.m. ET).

“That’s not what we’re anticipating, not what I’ve heard from the doctors,” general manager John Lynch said. “The timeline takes care of itself. He’s got to meet certain markers, but the expectation is long before that (first game), he’ll be back.”

Until Shanahan is cleared from concussion symptoms, many head-coaching duties will fall on Chris Foerster, the 49ers’ assistant head coach and offensive line czar. However, a concerted effort will come from other staff members, especially Shanahan’s three coordinators: Klay Kubiak (offense), Raheem Morris (defense) and Brant Boyer (special teams).

“We’ll keep you abreast of Kyle’s progress as we deem appropriate and you’ll probably see Kyle on the field some, to what he can tolerate,” Lynch said. “We’ll give the duties of running the team over to some other guys. We have a really good plan.”

Lynch confirmed an initial report by ESPN that Shanahan fractured his nose, a hand and three ribs, while requiring over 40 stitches to his face and sustaining a severe concussion. “He did break his nose, so his black eyes are getting better,” Lynch added. “He bumped his ribs, so that’s painful, but that’s not what’s keeping him away. It’s the concussion.”

Shanahan has been in the 49ers’ building since the accident, which at the intersection of Alma Street and Hamilton Avenue, according to a Palo Alto police spokesperson. No drugs or alcohol were suspected and both drivers cooperated with the investigation, with neither cited for the collision.

Shanahan’s wife, Mandy, helped spread word of his status last weekend to team captains on the veteran-laden squad. It wasn’t until 1 p.m. Saturday that the 49ers assembled for the first team meeting at camp.

The accident wasn’t known publicly beyond that tight circle until the 49ers revealed it in a 9 a.m. statement Saturday, two hours before Lynch addressed the media. No players were made available, which is unusual on training camp’s reporting day.

Shanahan’s health, as big of an issue as it is, did not seem to dispirit his players as they reported to camp, judging by the 49ers’ social-media videos, including one of tight end George Kittle walking through the parking lot saying: “We’re back. All my friends are here.”

Shanahan will have to clear a similar concussion protocol that tests players before they’re cleared to return, Lynch said.

“It’s not ideal but he understands he’s got to let the symptoms (ease) and listen to doctors. It’s hard not to be in there,” Lynch said. “… It gives him great comfort to know that, ‘We’ve got your back, Kyle, until you’re ready.’”

Shanahan, 46, has led the 49ers to the playoffs in five of the past seven seasons, including Super Bowl berths in the 2019 and 2023 seasons.

Not only has he long established himself as one of the NFL’s top offensive play-callers, his overall leadership as a head coach also transformed the 49ers back into annual contenders since he inherited a 2-14, talent-thin team. He is the son of two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Shanahan, for whom Kyle worked as his offensive coordinator in Washington from 2010-14.

“No. 1 for Kyle and the Shanahan family is getting him back right. He’s a tremendous head coach but this is bigger than that,” Lynch said. “This is about his well-being and we’re going to take the time necessary, and we’re very equipped to do that. We’re not going to blink. We feel we’re well equipped for something like this. We understand what a tremendous leader we have in Kyle.”

Should Shanahan miss games — the preseason starts Aug. 13 against Tennessee at Levi’s Stadium — Kubiak gained play-calling experience in past preseasons as well as the 2025 regular-season finale. Kubiak figures to also have a primary role in dictating training camp’s practices which begin Sunday at 10 a.m.

“Kyle will have suggestions, but Klay usually does the script along with along with the staff, so nothing different there,” Lynch said.

Morris, Shanahan’s fifth defensive coordinator in as many years, served as the Atlanta Falcons head coach the past two years and previously led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Boyer arrived last year and promptly turned around the special teams units. Shanahan’s staff did lose tight ends coach and run-game coordiantor Brian Fleury this past offseason to Seattle as he replaced Klint Kubiak as offensive coordinator.

“Every year brings challenges. We’re talking about one right now with a tremendous head coach that is, if not the best, right up there,” Lynch said. “That’s a challenge in and of itself, but there’s always challenges in this league. I find the best players, the best teams find a way to work through that.”

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Staff writers Grant Stringer and Lisa Hix contributed to this report.