49ers' TE McDonald, LB Lynch going through concussion protocol

By foxsports
Published

Tight end Vance McDonald and linebacker Aaron Lynch each suffered concussions in the San Francisco 49ers' overtime win at the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Coach Jim Tomsula said as his media briefing on Monday that both players are in the league's concussion protocol and would have to be cleared before returning to the field.

McDonald was emerging as a key component in the offense with  10 receptions and a pair of touchdowns in his previous two games before he was injured Sunday, leaving rookie Blake Bell as the only healthy tight end. Garrett Celek, who was inactive Sunday due to a high ankle sprain, was scheduled to be re-examined Monday.

“Obviously, we have to look at that,” Tomsula said. “We’ve got our guys on the practice squad. It’s obviously a concern. We’ve got to make sure we’re covered there.”

Lynch, in his second season out of the University of South Florida, has registered a team-high 6 1/2 sacks. San Francisco could also be thin at linebacker after Michael Wilhoite was forced from Sunday's game with an ankle injury.