San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is expected to miss portions of training camp after he suffered multiple injuries in a serious car accident. While the organization expects him to return before the regular season, they will be handling his recovery cautiously.

The accident happened on July 14 when Shanahan collided with an SUV near his Northern California home. ESPN’s Adam Schefter provided more details on the accident.

“Kyle Shanahan was taken by paramedics to the local hospital, where he spent much of that day before being released,” wrote Schefter. “The other driver was not injured, per Palo Alto lieutenant Nicholas Martinez. Martinez said d**** and a****** were not involved and both drivers were cooperative with the police.”

Schefter, on his personal X account, also mentioned that no one was cited for the collision either.

As per reports, Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, and his hand, suffered a severe concussion, and needed more than 40 stitches on his face.

Meanwhile, general manager John Lynch commented on what the process would be for Shanahan, considering he is also suffering from a concussion.

“Kyle basically is going to be like in protocol,” said Lynch on Saturday. “We’re going to let the doctors dictate how he comes back, when he comes back. He’s been in the building, so we’ve seen him. It’s kind of like we do with our players, a phased back approach.”

Lynch also added that currently, the number one priority for Kyle and the Shanahan family was recovering fully.

With San Francisco’s first training camp practice being on Sunday, Shanahan is expected to be around the team but not with the same level of involvement.

So what do the 49ers plan to do, at least for training camp, until Shanahan gets back to full health?

Increased responsibilities for all coaches, according to GM John Lynch

With Shanahan most likely not taking much part in training camp, the natural question would be about who would take over for Shanahan until his return.

On Saturday, general manager John Lynch provided an update on that aspect of the situation as well, according to a July 25 ESPN report.

“We’re not blinking,” said Lynch. “I believe our culture kind of speaks for itself, and we believe what our culture is: the people. Chris is one of those who we think very highly of. He’s equipped to do this. Our staff is equipped, but it will very much be a collective effort.”

He also added that he believes in his veteran coaching staff and older players such as linebacker Fred Warner and tackle Trent Williams to handle any leadership responsibilities while Shanahan recovers.

When asked about whether there was a chance that Shanahan would not lead the team for the season opener, Lynch was rather optimistic. While Shanahan would need to meet certain markers, Lynch still believes that Shanahan will be able to reach those markers and come back sooner than opening week.

This is an important season for Shanahan, not just because the 49ers are considered to be contenders for the Super Bowl. This would be his 10th season in San Francisco, which would tie him with Bill Walsh for the longest-tenured head coach in the team’s history.

If he were to win 11 games this season, he would surpass Walsh for regular-season victories as well and rank second in franchise history.

Let’s hope for a quick recovery for Shanahan and hope to see him lead the team out during opening week.

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit