Kyle Shanahan Was Caught Using ‘Banned’ Item On Sideline During Wild Card Win vs. Eagles [VIDEO]

Playoff games are just as nerve-wracking for coaches like Kyle Shanahan as they are for the players. One moment proved that on Sunday.

The San Francisco 49ers had everything working against them on Sunday. They had already lost multiple players during the season, and no one gave them a chance against the defending champions. Then, things got worse after George Kittle went down with a leg injury and had to be carted off. The San Francisco 49ers tight end was announced not only out for the game but for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.

They still never wavered on the field of play as they battled the Eagles. At one point during the contest, a camera following Kyle Shanahan caught him pacing nervously on the sidelines. As he was doing so, he was caught using a banned substance. Shanahan was using smelling salts to get ready for the game.

Kyle Shanahan locked in with the smelling salts today 😅

Via: @nineralex pic.twitter.com/Efhtbe9oik

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) January 11, 2026

As noted by ESPN’s Jenna Laine at the time, league rules prohibit players from using tobacco products during games and in interviews. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was caught using it during a road loss to the Houston Texans.

Kyle Shanahan Gets His Hobbled Team to The Divisional Round

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 in a thrilling NFC Wild Card playoff game. Playing in one of the league’s toughest road environments, the San Francisco 49ers are now headed to Seattle.

Brock Purdy threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey late in the fourth quarter. It would set up another matchup of division rivals.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has done a tremendous job navigating through injuries. Losing Nick Bosa and George Kittle will hurt at some point. But for now, he has his team rolling and ready to play every week.