Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers’ player stock watch after Week 1 of 2019 OTAs

By Peter Panacy

ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Dylan Thompson #13 and Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers talk during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Dylan Thompson #13 and Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers talk during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 06: Tight end Garrett Celek #88 of the San Francisco 49ers is attended to by staff prior to the start of the game against the Houston Texans at Candlestick Park on October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 06: Tight end Garrett Celek #88 of the San Francisco 49ers is attended to by staff prior to the start of the game against the Houston Texans at Candlestick Park on October 6, 2013 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Stock Down: Tight End Garrett Celek

Garrett Celek’s concussion isn’t good news at all for the soon-to-be 31 year old in a contract year.

The 49ers placed Celek on the inactive list in Week 17 last year, suggesting he suffered his concussion in Week 16. With Celek still placed in the concussion protocol, the nearly five-month period off has to be pretty concerning.

Health is the No. 1 priority, of course, and the Niners won’t want to rush him back for any reason. Yet the No. 2 tight end battle behind Pro Bowler George Kittle is an intriguing one this offseason. San Francisco added former Stanford tight end Kaden Smith in the 2019 NFL Draft, while also signing the veteran, Levine Toilolo, to a one-year deal.

Either player could feasibly take Celek’s precarious hold on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, potentially pushing Celek off the roster, if the Niners prefer to go either younger (Smith) or with someone more adept in blocking (Toilolo).

And with Celek not in a position to showcase why he can stick around this season, he’ll already be fighting uphill to retain his spot once he’s eventually cleared.