San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan attended the team’s training camp practice on Sunday for the first time since sustaining multiple injuries in a car accident earlier this month. Shanahan, who suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, and a broken hand in the crash on July 14 in nearby Palo Alto, was present on the practice field for about 30 minutes, standing alongside general manager John Lynch as players took part in drills.
Though Shanahan’s physical presence was a welcome sight, he has temporarily relinquished coaching duties to assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris Foerster while he continues to recover from concussion symptoms. Shanahan appeared with a cast on his left hand, sunglasses shielding a black eye, and a newly grown mustache, sparking lighthearted remarks from players.
“He can’t stay away,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “He’s obsessed with football. I’m sure of course he’s going to be around.” Shanahan interacted briefly with several key players, including Warner, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, running back Christian McCaffrey, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw before departing the practice field.
Foerster, who has over 30 years of NFL coaching experience, including previous stints with the Washington Football Team and the Miami Dolphins, has assumed leadership responsibilities without significant disruption. The training camp schedule, set well before Shanahan’s accident, focuses on reviewing offseason installations, allowing the team to operate with a sense of continuity.
With many veteran players and long-tenured coaches on the roster, Foerster said he is relying heavily on his coaching staff, including coordinators Klay Kubiak, Raheem Morris, and Brant Boyer. His role has involved managing routine elements such as breaking the team after practice, handling media duties, and making sideline decisions regarding repetitions during drills.
Trent Williams, the team’s veteran offensive tackle, praised Foerster’s seamless transition into the head coaching role, saying the team feels almost like it is on “auto pilot” despite Shanahan’s absence. “He’s been doing this longer than everybody in that locker room has been alive, probably except for me,” Williams said. He also expressed personal gratitude for Foerster, describing their long-standing relationship as “family.”
Foerster acknowledged the close bond he shares with Shanahan and the 49ers organization, emphasizing the loyalty extended to him following past personal challenges. “Kyle and his wife, Mandy, are like family to me,” Foerster said. “This organization did something for me and pulled me in at a time in my life when nobody would really want to be with me. That loyalty’s never going to be forgotten.” He expressed his concern following Shanahan’s accident, noting the difficulty in seeing a close friend and colleague injured.
Shanahan is expected to remain sidelined until concussion symptoms have fully resolved, with the team continuing preparations for the 2026 season under Foerster’s interim leadership.