After San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was injured in a car crash, he is set to spend a fair amount of time at a distance from training camp. The 49ers will open the 2026 NFL season Down Under, playing the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 10.
With Shanahan out of action, the 49ers have had to adjust in his absence. How has his absence affected what the players and coaches do not only on the field, but in team meetings, too?
49ers Make Adjustments as HC Kyle Shanahan Recovers
Senior Sports Illustrated NFL writer Albert Breer spent some time at the 49ers’ training camp this week, observing what was happening and talking to officials and coaches along the way.
“This isn’t a faux absence,” Breer wrote. “Shanahan’s not disconnected. But offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak has the walkie-talkie that goes to Brock Purdy’s helmet, and the head coach is watching like a personnel guy might at training camp.
“For now, the Niners are encouraged with Shanahan’s progress, with the caveat that it hasn’t been, and won’t be, linear,” Breer continued. “There’ll be ups and downs. He’s contributing where he can. His body is healing nicely. The concussion is lingering a bit.
“The hope is he’s back soon,” Breer wrote. “As for what the team is missing most at the moment, everyone I asked brought up the absence of his team meetings. Rather than try and replicate them, the Niners have put those on ice for now, breaking into offensive and defensive meetings with the coordinators for the time they’re scheduled.”
Shanahan was offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans for two seasons, four seasons with the Washington Commanders, one with the Cleveland Browns, and two with the Atlanta Falcons. He finally became the 49ers’ head coach back in 2017.
Earlier in his coaching career, Shanahan started out as a graduate assistant with the UCLA Bruins. When he was 25 years old, Shanahan oversaw offensive quality control for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then, he coached wide receivers and quarterbacks in his first 2 seasons with the Texans.
In 2008, when he was 28 years old, Shanahan was promoted to offensive coordinator in Houston.
Right now, the most important thing for Shanahan is taking his time to recover from his injuries. While he is out, though, the 49ers are moving forward with their workouts ahead of the season opener.
