San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is recovering from a frightening car crash near his Northern California home that reportedly left him with a severe concussion, multiple broken bones and dozens of stitches in his face.
Shanahan’s vehicle collided with an SUV on July 14, according to ESPN. The impact left the longtime coach with a broken nose, three fractured ribs and a broken hand. He also required approximately 40 stitches to treat injuries to his face.
The 49ers coach was rushed to a hospital following the wreck but was released later that same day. The driver of the SUV was not injured.
Shanahan has since been recovering at home and is said to be making encouraging progress. However, doctors are not expected to clear him for full participation until his concussion symptoms have completely subsided.
The team has not announced a firm timetable for his return.
Police said both drivers cooperated with the investigation, and neither received a citation. Authorities have not publicly revealed what caused the collision or determined whether either driver was responsible.
“Consistent with our standard release of information procedures in such cases, we do not release information regarding the cause of the collision, or which party may have been at fault,” Palo Alto Police Lt. Nicholas Martinez said in a statement to ESPN.
Shanahan is expected to have a limited role when the 49ers open training camp on Sunday.
“Coach Shanahan will participate in team activities on a limited basis at the start of training camp while he recovers,” the organization said. “Coach Shanahan and the 49ers organization would like to sincerely thank all first responders involved for their efforts and care.”
Assistant head coach Chris Foerster and the team’s coordinators will temporarily handle additional coaching responsibilities while Shanahan recovers.
According to ESPN, Shanahan waited until Tuesday to tell other members of the coaching staff about the crash.
Despite the severity of his injuries, the 46-year-old coach is still expected to be on the sideline when San Francisco opens the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 11 in Melbourne, Australia.
The matchup is set to become the first regular-season NFL game played in Australia.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said he spoke with Shanahan after learning about the accident.
“Most importantly, thank God he and the other person involved is okay,” McVay told reporters.
49ers general manager John Lynch also said the crash is not expected to affect the team’s travel plans.
“I think the expectation is that before that he’ll be better,” Lynch said. “We’re gonna do whatever it takes to have him right when he comes back, and that’s the right thing to do.”
The accident comes just before a historic season for Shanahan. His 10th year leading San Francisco will tie legendary coach Bill Walsh for the longest head-coaching tenure in franchise history.
Shanahan enters the season with 82 regular-season victories, the third-highest total by a coach in 49ers history.