The San Francisco 49ers have begun their preparations for the Cleveland Browns, and Aaron Lynch and Vance McDonald will be question marks much of the week. Head coach Jim Tomsula further confirmed that both players suffered concussions in Week 13, and are in the concussion protocol this week. The 49ers first practice participation report arrives on Wednesday, and that will provide the first glimpse into how both players are moving through the protocol.
Lynch was replaced by a rotation of Corey Lemonier and Eli Harold. When Ahmad Brooks was in the concussion protocol a couple weeks back, Lemonier was announced as the starter, but Harold was on the field for the early snaps. Lemonier ended up with 14 more snaps than Harold in Week 13.
When McDonald went down, Blake Bell became the No. 1 tight end. Daniel Kilgore got some work as an extra blocking tight end, but otherwise, the team went to more fullback formations. Bruce Miller ended up with 22 snaps, which likely would have been significantly less if McDonald had not gotten hurt.
In other news, Michael Wilhoite will have an MRI on his ankle. He left after seven snaps, replaced by Gerald Hodges. If Wilhoite cannot play this week, Hodges would get the start in his place. Nick Bellore got some work when NaVorro Bowman left the game, and the team also has Ray-ray Armstrong. The 49ers cut Shayne Skov to bring back Daniel Kilgore, so they could also bring back Skov if Wilhoite ends up missing some time. On Bowman, Tomsula said he checked out fine a day after going through the concussion protocol mid-game.
Garrett Celek missed Sunday's game with a high ankle sprain, and Tomsula said he was meeting with doctors and trainers today. Tomsula said this was a big day in terms of seeing how he looks after a week of rest. My guess is he probably misses this game, but we'll start to get a better idea when the 49ers release their first practice participation report on Wednesday. The team has two tight ends on the practice squad (Brian Leonhardt, Jamie Childers) in case Celek and McDonald both end up out of commission for Week 14.