San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach Chris Foerster addressed the media Sunday following his first practice leading the team in the absence of head coach Kyle Shanahan, who remains sidelined due to injuries sustained in a recent car accident near his Northern California home.

Shanahan suffered a severe concussion and multiple broken bones in the crash, prompting his hospitalization and ongoing recovery. During Shanahan’s absence this summer, Foerster has been appointed as the acting interim head coach, a role confirmed by general manager John Lynch, who described the upcoming period as a “collective effort.”

Foerster, who has worked with the 49ers in various coaching capacities since 2019, expressed gratitude toward the organization and Shanahan personally, emphasizing the close bond he shares with the head coach. “The guy is family to me,” Foerster said. “I’ve known Kyle for a long time. He’s one of my best friends in the world.”

Their connection dates back to their time together on the Washington Football Team’s coaching staff from 2010 to 2013, alongside then-offensive assistant Sean McVay, now head coach of the Los Angeles Rams.

Foerster’s journey with the 49ers began quietly when Shanahan brought him on as a consultant in 2019, a move not officially announced. Over the past several years, Foerster has moved up within the organization, serving as assistant offensive line coach in 2020 and advancing to offensive line coach the following year.

His current interim position comes after Foerster overcame a difficult chapter in his life nearly a decade ago. In 2017, when he was the offensive line coach for the Miami Dolphins, a video surfaced showing him using cocaine, leading to his resignation and entry into rehabilitation. Foerster has since been open about that period, describing a pattern of substance use during the 2017 season. Shanahan’s support has been instrumental in Foerster’s path to recovery and professional resurgence.

On the field and at practice, Shanahan was seen wearing sunglasses to conceal black eyes from the accident, drawing lighthearted remarks from players. Linebacker Fred Warner commented on Shanahan’s “great disguise” with the sunglasses during the weekend session.

With Shanahan’s recovery timeline uncertain, Foerster will continue to lead training camp sessions and handle media duties in the interim, providing stability as the 49ers prepare for the upcoming season.