49ers coach Kyle Shanahan set to return to the sideline after July 14 car crash

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was involved in a car crash on July 14, and the team’s preseason return plan appears to be moving forward. According to Yahoo Sports, Shanahan is expected to be on the sideline Thursday as the 49ers host the Tennessee Titans for San Francisco’s first preseason game at Levi’s Stadium.

For a team in training camp, preseason games carry a specific workload. They are the first extended look for many starters, but they also function as a live execution test for play-calling rhythm, situational awareness, and how offensive and defensive units respond under game tempo. The presence of a head coach matters in those areas, even when coordinators and coordinators’ staffs are doing much of the day-to-day work.

Shanahan’s situation is significant because the 49ers’ identity is closely tied to his offensive structure and in-game adjustments. Even in preseason, a head coach’s role can influence how quickly the staff can pivot between scripted plans and what the defense shows in real time. That makes his anticipated return a notable checkpoint for San Francisco’s preparation, especially early in the preseason window.

The timing is also important. Thursday’s matchup is described as the 49ers’ first preseason game, meaning it arrives early in the team’s sequence of exhibition evaluations. Coaches typically use early preseason contests to establish baseline performance while also prioritizing clarity for quarterbacks, the offensive line, and the run-pass decision process. A head coach at full engagement can help reinforce those priorities across position groups and special teams.

Beyond the football side, the return to sideline duties is also a practical team-management marker. A crash or medical recovery period can tighten internal communications and force adjustments in who attends meetings, oversees walkthroughs, or leads certain segments of practice and game-week preparation. That is why, when a coach is described as expected to be on the sideline, it effectively indicates that the team believes he is ready to resume normal decision-making responsibilities for a live contest.

Still, the available reporting emphasizes expectations rather than a full verified confirmation of whether Shanahan will be limited in any capacity. As training camp practices continue, the 49ers may still adjust how they distribute responsibilities around the coaching staff depending on his readiness and medical clearance processes. For fans, the simplest way to gauge the impact will be to watch who appears in the primary coaching roles during the week and how the team handles in-game decision points.

For the 49ers and Titans, the preseason opener also shapes how both clubs approach the rest of the exhibition schedule. Early games can affect which players get additional repetitions in subsequent weeks, and a coach’s presence can influence how long certain personnel groupings remain on the field. Thursday’s game, with Shanahan expected to be there, sets an immediate tone for what San Francisco wants to prioritize as it moves deeper into preseason.