SANTA CLARA -– Tight end Garrett Celek is sidelined indefinitely after sustaining a high-ankle sprain in the first quarter of the 49ers’ 19-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Coach Jim Tomsula said X-rays on Celek’s left ankle did not show a fracture. He was seen after the game wearing an orthopedic boot and using crutches for support.
Celek started eight of the 49ers’ first 11 games. He is tied for fourth on the team with 19 receptions for 186 yards. Celek leads the 49ers with three touchdown receptions.
Tight end Vance McDonald has produced his two best games of his three-year career in back-to-back games. On Sunday, McDonald caught six passes for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals.
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“Well, you can you go back to training camp,” Tomsula said. “I’ve always said that’s a group I’ve always been really impressed with. Our tight end room, we have felt really good about since the beginning. The way they work, the players that are in that room, the way they work, the coaching, it’s really a good room.”
Three tight ends the 49ers had in training camp are with other NFL teams. Derek Carrier, who was traded to Washington in the preseason, has 16 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. In four games since a trade to Denver, former 49ers Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis has 10 receptions for 97 yards. Asante Cleveland, whom the 49ers traded to New England for guard Jordan Devey, made his debut with the Patriots on Sunday night and caught one pass for 1 yard.
Rookie Blake Bell, a fourth-round draft pick, saw his most extensive playing time for the 49ers on Sunday. He caught three passes for 67 yards, including a 48-yard reception that set up the 49ers’ first touchdown of the game.
Celek, McDonald and Bell are the only tight ends on the 49ers' 53-man roster.
The 49ers added tight end Brian Leonhardt to their practice squad two weeks ago. Leonhardt saw action in 12 games for the Raiders last season, catching six passes for 35 yards in three starts.
