49ers' Kyle Shanahan to be limited in camp after car crash
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan suffered multiple injuries in a July 14 car crash near his northern California home, including a broken nose, three broken ribs, a broken hand, and a severe concussion. He will be limited during training camp while doctors clear his concussion symptoms. Assistant coaches will handle head coaching responsibilities during his recovery.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan collided with an SUV on July 14 near his northern California home, suffering injuries that will restrict his participation during training camp and force his assistant coaches to assume expanded responsibilities as the team prepares for the 2026 season.
According to ESPN's reporting, Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, and his hand in the collision. He also needed more than 40 stitches in his face and suffered a severe concussion. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital, where he spent much of July 14 before being released.
The other driver was not injured, and per Palo Alto Lt. Nicholas Martinez, drugs and alcohol were not involved in the collision. No one was cited for the crash.
Doctors will not clear Shanahan for all activities until his concussion symptoms clear, according to ESPN's report. The team announced that Assistant Head Coach Chris Foerster along with team coordinators will handle head coach responsibilities during Shanahan's recovery period.
Shanahan informed his assistant coaches of the crash on Tuesday, with General Manager John Lynch scheduled to hold a news conference Saturday. The 49ers' first training camp practice was set for Sunday morning.
The timing carries weight for the franchise. The 2026 season marks Shanahan's 10th year in San Francisco, which ties him with Bill Walsh for the longest tenure by a head coach in franchise history, according to ESPN. Shanahan enters the season with 82 regular-season victories, third most for the organization. With 11 wins this season, he would surpass Walsh for second on the franchise wins list. The 49ers open the 2026 season on September 10 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
Shanahan is believed to be healing well, per ESPN's reporting.
Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, and his hand, and suffered a severe concussion in the July 14 collision; doctors will not clear him for all activities until concussion symptoms clear.
The critical variable is the timeline for Shanahan's return to full coaching duties once concussion symptoms clear, which will determine whether his limitations extend into the preseason or regular season. Watch how assistant coaches manage play-calling and strategic decisions during the opening weeks of camp, and whether the restriction pattern holds or accelerates his clearance.
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