NEW ORLEANS – Tight end Vernon Davis and rookie safety Eric Reid will be in the 49ers’ starting lineup on Sunday one week after sustaining concussions.
Davis and Reid went through the final step of the NFL concussion on protocols Friday when they squared off against each other during a brief contact drill. Both players remained symptom-free and were cleared to participate in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.
Meanwhile, the Saints will play Sunday without two players – rookie safety Kenny Vaccaro and tight end Benjamin Watson – who sustained concussions last week against the Dallas Cowboys. Rafael Bush will start in place of Vaccaro.
Defensive lineman Ray McDonald will miss Sunday’s game with a high ankle sprain. Demarcus Dobbs is scheduled to start in McDonald’s place, the 49ers announced. Tony Jerod-Eddie is also expected to see a lot of playing time as part of the 49ers’ rotation on the defensive line.
Wide receiver Michael Crabtree remains on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list and is not eligible to play until he is moved to the 49ers’ 53-man roster.
49ers inactives
QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson
WR Quinton Patton
LB Nick Moody
G Joe Looney
TE Garrett Celek
DT Ray McDonald
DT Tank Carradine
Saints inactives
QB Ryan Griffin
RB Khiry Robinson
S Kenny Vaccaro
CB Rod Sweeting
T Terron Armstead
DE Tyrunn Walker
TE Benjamin Watson
