The San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns released their first practice participation reports of Week 14, and as expected, Aaron Lynch and Vance McDonald did not participate in practice. Both are in the concussion protocol, which means they have to be asymptomatic at rest, and again after exertion. The protocol concludes with a contact test, at which point the player is cleared if he has no symptoms. If the players are listed as limited participants on Thursday and/or Friday, odds improve considerably that they will be able to play on Sunday.
Speaking of concussions, the Browns have five players in the protocol right now. Starting cornerback Joe Haden has been in the protocol for some time now, and odds are pretty good he does not play again this week. Travis Benjamin did not practice due to a shoulder injury suffered last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. The team's leading wide receiver is likely to be listed as questionable later this week.
Joe Staley did not practice on Wednesday due to a knee issue. Jim Tomsula briefly discussed it during his press conference, and it sounds like this is an injury Staley can play through, but he'll get some rest during the week.
49ers injury report
Wednesday
Did not participate: LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder, finger), RB Carlos Hyde (foot), LB Aaron Lynch (concussion), TE Vance McDonald (concussion), T Joe Staley (knee), LB Michael Wilhoite (ankle)
Limited participation: G Alex Boone (knee), DT Quinton Dial (shoulder), LB Eli Harold (shoulder), C Marcus Martin (ankle), G Andrew Tiller (knee)
Full participation: DT Arik Armstead (shoulder), WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring), RB Kendall Gaskins (hamstring), T Erik Pears (knee), DT Mike Purcell (shoulder), S Jaquiski Tartt (ankle)
Browns injury report
Wednesday
Did not participate: WR Travis Benjamin (shoulder), WR Dwayne Bowe (not injury related), WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion), CB Justin Gilbert (concussion), CB Joe Haden (concussion), WR Andrew Hawkins (concussion), DE Randy Starks (not injury related), T Joe Thomas (not injury related)
Limited participation: TE Gary Barnidge (ankle), G Cameron Erving (ankle), WR Brian Hartline (hip), WR Marlon Moore (ribs)
Full participation: QB Johnny Manziel (right elbow)