49ers injury report: Staley sustains head injury

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Left tackle Joe Staley left the game in the first quarter with a head injury and did not return to the 49ers lineup Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.When asked if Staley had sustained a concussion, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh answered, "We'll see. You (the media) were told what his injury was, and he wasn't able to come back in the ballgame. I'm not a doctor."The 49ers did not disclose the nature of the injury, reporting it only as "head."Dr. Daniel Garza examined Staley on the sideline and walked with him back to the 49ers' locker room. Garza, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Stanford, is the leader of a long-term concussion study involving the Stanford football team.The NFL's protocol on concussions reads, in part:
"Once removed for the duration of a practice or game, the player should not be considered for return-to-football activities until he is fully asymptotic, both at rest and after exertion, has a normal neurological examination, normal neuropsychological testing, and has been cleared to return by both his team physician(s) and the independent neurological consultant."-- Linebacker Patrick Willis did not suit up due to a right hamstring strain that he sustained early in the 49ers' 26-0 victory over the St. Louis Rams last week. It is uncertain whether Willis will be available for the 49ers' Monday night game (Dec. 19) against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was only the second time in Willis' career that he has not suited up for a game.
Safety Dashon Goldson said the 49ers' problems on defense were something that should not have been affected by Willis' absence."We were confident in Larry (Grant) coming in there and playing," Goldson said. "Of course, we miss Pat. He's one of our leaders and one of our playmakers on defense. But they stuck to what they were going to do. I didn't see them attacking us without Pat being there."Grant led the 49ers with nine tackles. He also broke up a pass.-- Running back Frank Gore saw a smaller percentage of snaps, as he carried just 10 times for 72 yards. Backup Kendall Hunter had eight carries for 20 yards.When asked if something was wrong with Gore, Harbaugh answered, "No, not a reason."-- Receiver Braylon Edwards played just 11 snaps after sitting out last week to rehabilitate his ailing right knee and left shoulder. Edwards did not appear pleased that his play time was limited. And Harbaugh said the team did not reduce Edwards' action due to injuries."We were doing our best to move the ball, convert, pick up those first downs and we fell short," Harbaugh said.-- Defensive end Ray McDonald sustained a left handwrist injury that required X-rays. The X-rays were believed to be negtaive, as McDonald left the locker room without any cast or wrap on his hand.-- Goldson missed one play with a right hip bruise, as he landed hard while attempting to defend Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald on a down-field pass. Fitzgerald made the catch and turned the play into a 46-yard touchdown.