San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan returned to training camp on Sunday – less than a fortnight on from a horrific traffic accident that resulted in multiple injuries.
The news of Shanahan’s accident only came to light in recent days as training camp begun for the Niners late this week.
And Shanahan made a brief appearance at practice to oversee his team’s preparations for the upcoming season.
According to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, Shanahan was wearing a soft cast on his left hand and had sunglasses on his face.
Barrows noted that the swelling in the coach’s face that he dealt with after the wreck ‘seems to have subsided.’
Another insider, David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard, reported that Shanahan stood beside team general manager John Lynch from Lynch’s ‘preferred centerfield vantage spot.’
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan returned to training camp after a horrific car accident
Shanahan stood next to team general manager John Lynch (L) to oversee the session Sunday
Shanahan suffered multiple injuries in the incident that happened back on July 14
‘Aside from a cast on his lower forearm/wrist, no clear sign that he’d been in a serious car wreck less than two weeks ago – good news in terms of his physical recovery,’ Lombardi added.
While he did not mention the sunglasses on the coach, Lombardi added, ‘Would assume that the concussion is currently limiting Shanahan’s time outside in the sun.’
No photos have yet surfaced of Shanahan in the wake of the crash.
Shanahan, 46, collided with an SUV near his home in Palo Alto on July 14 and broke his nose, three ribs, his hand, required more than 40 stitches in his face and suffered a severe concussion.
He was taken to a local hospital by paramedics but was released the same day. ESPN reported that the other driver was not injured and drugs and alcohol were not involved.
The California Post has obtained a short clip of the dispatch audio from the crash, with authorities first alerted to it just after 6.13pm.
‘You’re responding to an accident at Alma St. and Hamilton Ave,’ one officer says to the first responders.
‘It’s going to be a black Tesla vs. a blue Mercedes. There are reports of one driver bleeding from the head.’
Shanahan, who is married to and shares three children – son Carter and daughters Stella and Lexi – with wife Mandy, is reportedly ‘healing well’ but still suffering from symptoms related to the concussion, according to ESPN.
911 audio after Shanahan’s car crash appears to reveal he was ‘bleeding from the head’
Shanahan and Mandy share three children together, son Carter and daughters Stella and Lexi
As a result of his injuries, Shanahan will be limited in what he can do when the 49ers open their training camp this weekend ahead of the upcoming NFL season.
His longtime ally Chris Foerster, who serves as assistant head coach, will take on a bigger role in training camp with help from new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
The 49ers’ general manager, John Lynch, told reporters on Saturday that he expects Shanahan to be healthy enough to coach the team in their opening game against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 10.
‘The timeline kind of takes care of itself. He’s got to meet certain markers,’ Lynch told reporters on Saturday. ‘But I think the expectation is that long before that he’ll be better.’
His week one opponent, Sean McVay, revealed he’s spoken to close friend Shanahan in recent days.
McVay, who worked with Shanahan for four years when they were assistant coaches with the Washington Commanders, revealed on Saturday he was ‘shaken up’ by the news.
Shanahan is expected to be able to coach the 49ers for their week one game on September 10
He told reporters: ‘Most importantly, thank God he and the other person involved is okay. Perspective is everything. We talk about that all the time as coaches, and everybody goes through different things.
‘I think the most important thing is that he’s on the road to recovery. His wife Mandy, and he’s got a beautiful family, and I think any time that something like that happens, it shakes you up a little bit.
‘But most importantly, I have talked to him. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and I know he’s got an incredible perspective on it all. And Kyle’s a stud.
‘I have as much respect for him as anybody and he’s a friend of mine, and I love him and hope that he’s going to have a great recovery.’
