San Francisco 49ers

49ers TE McDonald cleared to return to lineup after concussion

Published Dec. 17, 2015 7:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

The San Francisco 49ers received some much-needed positive news on the injury front when tight end Vance McDonald was cleared to return to the lineup Thursday.

McDonald has been dealing with a concussion that forced miss to miss last weekend's 24-10 loss at Cleveland. His return comes at an ideal time for the 49ers, who shipped out Vernon Davis at the trade deadline and lost Garrett Celek to a season-ending ankle injury.

In his third season since he was selected as a second-round draft pick out of Rice, McDonald was coming on strong prior to sustaining the concussion in a 26-20 overtime victory at Chicago on Dec. 6.

McDonald established career bests in back-to-back games against Seattle and Arizona, reeling in a combined 10 catches for 138 yards while scoring a touchdown in each game. The receptions matched his total from his first two years with San Francisco and gave him 21 on the season.

Wide receiver Torrey Smith did not practice for the second straight day due to back spasms while linebacker Aaron Lynch, the team leader in sacks, remained in a non-contact jersey due to a concussion.

#49ers Torrey Smith (back, toe) not practicing today. Gaskins, Lynch in no-contact shirts; McDonald fully cleared from concussion
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 17, 2015