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Nick Wagoner
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Nick Wagoner
ESPN Staff Writer
- Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN’s coverage of the Niners’ 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick’s protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam’s subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team’s relocation and stadium saga.
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San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan suffered significant injuries in a car crash during his summer break in mid-July that leave him limited as the team opens training camp.
Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs and his hand, needed more than 40 stiches in his face, and suffered a severe concussion during a July 14 car crash when he collided with an SUV near his northern California home, according to sources familiar with the situation.
He was taken by paramedics to a local hospital, where he spent much of that day before being released. The other driver was not injured, according to Palo Alto Lt. Nicholas Martinez.
Martinez said drugs and alcohol were not involved and that both drivers were cooperative with the police. No one was cited for the collision.
“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.
Shanahan has been recovering at home and is believed to be healing well, but with training camp starting Sunday, doctors will not clear him for all activities until concussion symptoms clear.
“San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was involved in a car accident last week where he suffered non-life-threatening injuries,” the team said in a statement. “Coach Shanahan will participate in team activities on a limited basis at the start of training camp while he recovers. Coach Shanahan and the 49ers organization would like to sincerely thank all first responders involved for their efforts and care.
“Assistant Head Coach Chris Foerster along with team coordinators will handle head coach responsibilities during this period.”
Shanahan informed his assistant coaches Tuesday of the crash, and players slowly have been getting the news. General manager John Lynch is scheduled to hold a news conference Saturday.
The 2026 season is the 10th for Shanahan in San Francisco, which will tie him with Bill Walsh for the longest tenure by a head coach in franchise history. Shanahan enters the season with 82 regular-season victories, third most for the franchise. With 11 wins this season, he would surpass Walsh for second on that list.
The 49ers are slated to have their first practice of training camp Sunday morning. They open the season Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
