Kyle Shanahan was going 20 miles an hour when his car crashed into another vehicle in Palo Alto on July 14. The San Francisco 49ers coach suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, and a broken left hand, and was left with stitches for a large cut above his right eye.
Shanahan took full responsibility for the crash, saying he had taken his eyes off the road for two seconds to reach for his fallen cell phone. "I dropped my phone, and it was stuck in my seats. It was on my lap, and it slid off, and I went down to look for it, and took my eyes off the road for two seconds, and as I was coming up, the air bags hit me in my face," he explained.
The 49ers have been without their coach since training camp started on Saturday, with assistant Chris Foerster in charge alongside coordinators Raheem Morris, Klay Kubiak, and Brant Boyer. Shanahan has made progress in his recovery and expects to make a full recovery, but is still experiencing issues with loud noises like the music at practice.
Shanahan is one of the most highly regarded coaches in the game, with a 91-72 record in the regular season and playoffs for the 49ers, ranking third in franchise history in wins. He has led the team to two Super Bowl appearances and two additional appearances in the NFC title game.
The 49ers have said that Shanahan is going through a similar protocol to the one used for players after a concussion and will resume coaching when he is recovered. Shanahan is entering his 10th season as 49ers coach and is known for his offensive acumen.
Shanahan's absence has not affected the team's progress so far, with the 49ers finishing 12-5 in the regular season last season and winning a playoff game. He finished fifth in voting for the AP NFL Coach of the Year, a testament to his skills as a coach.
The team is expected to continue without Shanahan for the time being, with assistant coaches taking charge of practices and meetings. Shanahan's return is expected to be a welcome relief for the team, and his fans are eagerly awaiting his return to the sidelines.
Source: Yahoo Sports