San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan observed the team's first training camp practice on Sunday, just one day after the organization revealed that he had suffered significant injuries in a recent car accident.
Shanahan stood alongside general manager John Lynch and watched practice for about 30 minutes before stepping away, as he continues recovering from a severe concussion.
The concussion has temporarily sidelined Shanahan from his coaching duties. In his absence, assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris Foerster has taken on many of those responsibilities, serving as the 49ers' interim head coach while Shanahan recovers.
The concussion wasn't the only injury Shanahan suffered in the July 14 accident, which occurred about six miles from his California home. According to reports, he also broke his nose, three ribs, and his left hand, and required 40 stitches to his face.
On Sunday, Shanahan was seen observing practice with a cast on his left hand.
Veteran left tackle Trent Williams wasn't surprised to see Shanahan at the practice field instead of resting during his recovery.
"I knew it would be tough to keep him away from there," Williams told reporters after practice. "I know it's gonna be hard for him to get his rest. He's not that type of person, so it don't surprise me at all seeing him out there."
Williams said he first learned about Shanahan's accident the same way many others did—through social media on Saturday. For him, that was a little easier than learning earlier.
"Obviously, getting to read the story all in one and know that he's okay, instead of getting a call, 'Hey, yeah, he had a wreck. He's in the hospital,' and having to worry and pray that he's all right. Reading the story, I could tell by reading, I knew he was okay.
"So, I just wanted to come in and holler at him, and see how he's doing. Everything's fine, and he took it like a champ."
Linebacker Fred Warner learned about Shanahan's injuries much earlier.
"Mandy, Kyle's wife, let me and my wife know about the incident," Warner said. "And of course, my first reaction was just trying to make sure everybody was good, everybody was okay.
"I mean, it's scary. Any type of car accident, you just never know what the severity of it is, but luckily everybody seems to be on the up-and-up and doing well. So, just super blessed in that way."
Warner added that Shanahan is eager to return but understands there's no urgency to rush the process.
"I know Kyle's just itching to be back, and there's no rush," Warner said. "This thing just keeps rolling, business as usual. It was unfortunate, but he's good, everybody's good."
Seeing Shanahan on the practice field Sunday came as no surprise to Warner, who said the head coach's passion for football made his presence inevitable.
"I know he can't stay away," he said. "I know he's given up his duties for a little bit, but that guy's obsessed with ball, so of course he's going to be around."
Williams also doesn't believe Shanahan's temporary absence will have much effect on the team's preparation for the 2026 season.
"We've got a lot of vets," Williams said. "We really can be on autopilot. We got that locker room."
Mentioned in this article: Fred Warner, Trent Williams
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