San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan suffered several injuries in his July 14 car accident. He broke his nose, three ribs, and his hand. He also required 40 stitches to his face, reportedly underwent plastic surgery, and suffered a severe concussion.
The lingering effects of the concussion limited Shanahan at the start of 49ers training camp, giving the coach a new perspective on what his players experience when dealing with similar injuries.
Of course, Shanahan understands that a concussion suffered on the football field and one resulting from a car accident are two very different things.
Shanahan addressed reporters on Saturday for the first time since the accident. There was still visible bruising on and around his nose, and the coach had yet to shave off his traditional offseason mustache.
Still, Shanahan was able to speak with the media without issue, signaling that he is making significant progress in his recovery. He even revealed that he plans to coach Thursday when the 49ers host the Tennessee Titans in their preseason opener.
Shanahan also discussed how his experience with a concussion has changed his perspective on the injury.
"I've been told so much by these guys, don't compare a sports concussion to an accident like this," Shanahan said. "I'm starting to realize that now—just little things, like when they label things, like whether it's severe or mild. You hear someone has a mild one, I'm like, 'Oh, alright. It might be one game, but usually that's two.' Then you kind of learn those are just words.
"Each one's a little bit different. I definitely can relate to how scary it is when you don't know if you will feel right again. It's definitely made me more educated on it. Usually I just listen, and like, 'Tell me when. Okay,' and I move on, but I understand it a lot better and what guys got to go through and the protocol to get back."
Coaches and other team personnel do not have a formal concussion protocol of their own. However, Shanahan is clearly taking a cautious approach to his recovery and doing everything he can to ensure he is healthy heading into the 2026 season.
It helps that he's part of the NFL, which has invested significant resources into studying such injuries.
"There's not a protocol for me on paper, but it's really cool to be in a profession that knows what to do with those things," Shanahan continued. "All the people that I need help from, it was already built in here. They've got a lot of experience with it, and it's been really good for me."
Shanahan still has good days and bad days, but for the most part, his symptoms have subsided—aside from some headaches and fatigue.
"I can't tell you guys how close it is," Shanahan said. "I'm getting there. There's no doubt I will be there. From what I do with the team, I kind of already feel there."
Comments