Chris Foerster Leads 90-Minute Practice as Shanahan Recovers from July 14 Crash

Assistant head coach Chris Foerster ran his first training camp practice on Sunday while Kyle Shanahan recovers from a concussion sustained in a July 14 car accident.

Assistant head coach Chris Foerster conducted his first training camp practice with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, leading a session that lasted approximately 90 minutes. The shift in leadership follows a July 14 car accident involving head coach Kyle Shanahan, who is currently managing a concussion and two black eyes. During the Sunday session, Foerster implemented an immediate structural change by splitting the squad for the morning meeting, with offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris leading their respective units rather than the traditional full-team address typically delivered by Shanahan.

Shanahan appeared on the practice field for roughly 30 minutes, arriving midway through team drills. Wearing a long-sleeve T-shirt, shorts, a Niners hat, and sunglasses, he observed 11-on-11 periods while standing alongside general manager John Lynch. During a special teams segment, linebacker Fred Warner, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw greeted the head coach in the middle of the field. Warner noted that Shanahan’s sunglasses served as a "disguise" for facial injuries sustained during the collision earlier this month.

Leadership Roles and Staff Coordination

While Foerster is managing specific head coaching responsibilities such as news conferences and practice breakdowns, the workload is distributed among several coordinators. Raheem Morris oversees the defense, Klay Kubiak handles the offense, and Brant Boyer manages special teams. Foerster noted that Shanahan advised him this past week to delegate tasks he does not wish to perform personally. One specific operational challenge Foerster identified involves determining protocol for offside penalties—deciding whether to repeat the rep for the full team or move to the next play as a punitive measure.

Foerster’s expanded role was partially motivated by a Saturday news conference where John Lynch jokingly questioned Foerster’s ability to handle the post-practice team breakdown. In response, Foerster delivered an energetic breakdown at the conclusion of Sunday's drills. He stated his motivation stems from a desire to serve the leadership of the organization, including Lynch and the veteran players, rather than viewing the vacancy as a personal career opportunity.

Player Reactions and Historical Context

Left tackle Trent Williams, who has worked with Foerster since their time together in Washington in 2010, described the transition as a "hand-in-glove fit." Williams learned of Shanahan’s accident via social media, while Fred Warner was informed by Shanahan’s wife, Mandy. Warner assured the head coach that the veteran leadership and coaching staff would maintain team standards until he returns to full strength. Williams highlighted Foerster's extensive experience, noting the assistant has been coaching longer than almost everyone in the current locker room has been alive.

Recovery Timeline and Practice Observations

Shanahan’s involvement remains limited to the periphery as he heals from the concussion. Despite his 30-minute appearance on Sunday, he has relinquished primary daily duties for the immediate future. Foerster indicated that his current focus is on maintaining the energy levels of the team and managing the small-scale logistics of the training camp schedule. The 49ers continue their preparation for the 2026 season in Santa Clara, with the coaching staff operating under the guidance Foerster received to run the sessions according to his own preferences while Shanahan remains on the mend.