Kyle Shanahan: Trent Brown not expected to play vs. Eagles

San Francisco 49ers right tackle Trent Brown will likely miss Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles with his concussion, head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday. Shanahan said that Brown hasn’t been ruled out definitively, but that the 49ers are “not planning on” having Brown in the lineup.

If Brown can’t go, Gary Gilliam would get the start at right tackle. Brown sustained the concussion against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7 and has been absent at practice while in the league’s concussion protocol.

The offensive line has struggled big time in both the running and passing game this season. Brown has been the only consistently strong performer, with even left tackle Joe Staley struggling off and on. Brown hasn’t had a bad game yet, so he will be sorely missed against a tough team like the Eagles.

Either way, I appreciate teams being more cautious when it comes to concussions. The 49ers have had multiple players miss games with concussions this season, whereas around the league you pretty consistently see guys cleared like clockwork.

The system definitely isn’t perfect, and I’d much rather a player, especially one as good as Brown, to sit out and take the extra time to recover. Gilliam has starting experience, and we haven’t really seen him for a significant amount of time this season, so I’m interested in seeing what he actually has to offer.

San Francisco is winless on the season and are rolling with rookie third-round pick C.J. Beathard at quarterback. Beathard was sacked five times against the Cowboys, a major concern.

Brown is officially questionable for Sunday’s game against the Eagles, along with Reuben Foster, Brandon Fusco and Marquise Goodwin.