Signs point to Shanahan hire
Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that he plans to talk again with the San Francisco 49ers about their coaching vacancy, with all signs pointing to the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator landing the position.
Shanahan is the only apparent candidate, and the 49ers are the lone team that hasn’t hired a coach.
“I’m definitely excited about that,” Shanahan said. “But it’s not really something that I know what the situation is right now.”
The son of former NFL coach Mike Shanahan interviewed with the 49ers when the Falcons had a bye week during the wild-card round. He said they would arrange another meeting, probably next week after the Falcons face the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game. He insisted that he doesn’t yet have a formal offer from the 49ers.
If the Falcons win, Shanahan would have time for a follow-up meeting before the Falcons head to Houston for the Feb. 5 Super Bowl.
Under NFL rules, he couldn’t take over the job until Atlanta’s season ends.
Etc.
Falcons All-Pro receiver Julio Jones sat out a second day of practice because of a sprained left toe but said he was confident that he would be ready to play Sunday against the Packers . ... Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has undergone surgery on the right shoulder that bothered him the last two seasons. Colts owner Jim Irsay announced on Twitter that Luck was recovering from successful outpatient surgery and would be ready for the 2017 season . ... Newly hired Buffalo Bills Coach Sean McDermott is turning his offense over to former Denver Broncos coordinator Rick Dennison, who has 22 years of NFL coaching experience, the last two running the Broncos’ offense . ... Veteran NFL assistant Frank Bush, who spent the last four years as linebackers coach for the Rams, was hired as assistant head coach and linebackers coach of the Miami Dolphins . ... Former Pro Bowler Clyde Simmons, who spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach with the Rams, was hired by the Cleveland Browns to coach their defensive line. He’ll work under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who was brought in by Browns Coach Hue Jackson to fix one of the league’s worst defenses. Williams also added his son, Blake, to coach the linebackers. Also added to Jackson’s staff were Jerod Kruse (assistant defensive backs), DeWayne Walker (defensive backs) and Bob Wylie (offensive line.)