San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs and a hand, suffered a severe concussion, and needed more than 40 stitches to close facial cuts after his car collided with an SUV at Alma Street and Hamilton Avenue in Palo Alto on Tuesday, July 14, at 6:13 p.m.

Shanahan, 46, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and released later that day, according to Palo Alto police Lieutenant Nicholas Martinez. The other driver was not injured.

The 49ers did not publicly disclose the crash for 11 days. On Saturday, July 25, the team issued a statement confirming Shanahan's injuries as non-life-threatening and saying he would join training camp on a limited basis while he recovers. Assistant head coach Chris Foerster will run the team's first practice on Sunday, July 26, alongside coordinators Klay Kubiak, Raheem Morris and Brant Boyer.

General manager John Lynch, speaking at a Saturday press conference, said Shanahan is going through the same concussion protocol players undergo and that doctors will determine when he can resume full duties.

"He's a tremendous head coach, but this is bigger than that," Lynch said. "This is about his well-being. We're going to take the time necessary."

Lynch added that Shanahan might be on the practice field Sunday but will not run drills or team meetings until cleared. Lynch said the team does not expect Shanahan to miss the regular-season opener, scheduled for Sept. 10 (U.S. time) against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Martinez said no one was cited in the collision and that drugs and alcohol were not involved. Both drivers cooperated with police.

"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," Martinez said.

According to ESPN, Shanahan informed his coaching staff on Wednesday, July 22, more than a week after the crash. ESPN reported the collision occurred near his Northern California home during the team's summer break.

What it means for the season

Foerster has been on the 49ers' staff since 2019 and previously worked under Shanahan in Washington when Shanahan was offensive coordinator there. The coaching staff's familiarity with Shanahan's system is one reason Lynch expressed confidence the team can manage without its head coach at full capacity for the early days of camp.

Shanahan is entering his 10th season in San Francisco, tying Bill Walsh for the longest head-coaching tenure in franchise history. He has compiled 82 regular-season victories, third most in franchise annals behind George Seifert and Walsh.

The 49ers finished 12-5 in 2025 and lost in the divisional round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Their first practice of 2026 training camp begins Sunday, July 26.