Kyle Shanahan is not the kind of guy who takes a sick day. The 49ers head coach proved that Sunday when he made a surprise appearance at practice — less than two weeks after a July 14 car crash left him hospitalized with a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, and a broken hand. Shanahan watched for about 30 minutes from the sideline, wearing a cast on his hand and dark sunglasses. His players weren’t shocked.“I know he can’t stay away,”linebacker Fred Warner told reporters.
While Shanahan recovers, assistant head coach Chris Foerster is temporarily leading the team. The good news for 49ers fans? This is a veteran squad that can operate on“auto pilot,”according to players. And there’s even better news on the injury front — star defensive end Nick Bosa was back on the field doing individual drills for the first time since tearing his ACL. That’s a massive boost for a defense that needs its best pass rusher healthy for a playoff run.
So what does this mean for Sacramento area 49ers fans? It means the culture in Santa Clara is as tough as it gets. Your head coach just got in a serious car accident and he’s still at practice. Your best defensive player is working his way back from a devastating knee injury. And the team is running smoothly without either of them on the field. That’s depth. That’s leadership. That’s a team worth watching this season. Do you think Shanahan should be resting, or do you respect him showing up?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
