49ers CB Jimmie Ward (concussion) is active for today's game against the Dolphins and ready to use as you normally would. OLB Aaron Lynch (ankle) is inactive after entering the day questionable.

49ers OLB Aaron Lynch will miss the 1st 4 games of the season after violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. Lynch tied Ahmad Brooks for the team lead in sacks last season after tallying 6.0 in a more limited role the year before. Losing Lynch further dings an already-questionable defense that fell apart last year and has sat near the bottom of the ADP list in fantasy football drafting so far this season.

49ers OLB Aaron Lynch is inactive for today's game against the Browns. He has yet to clear the concussion protocol after suffering the injury last Sunday. The Browns present a nice sack matchup, but this shouldn't alter anyone's plans in IDP or non-IDP fantasy football leagues.

49ers OLB Aaron Lynch (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game at Cleveland. Lynch returned to a limited practice Friday, but Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reports that Lynch suffered some post-concussion headaches during the week. He entered the weekend without being cleared for action. We'll check on his status Sunday morning, but don't bet on him playing.

Niners OLB Aaron Lynch left Sunday's win at Chicago with a concussion. If he makes it through the league protocol this week, Lynch will carry some sack upside into next Sunday's matchup with the Browns. ILB NaVorro Bowman also left Sunday's game briefly for a concussion test but passed and returned to lead the team in tackles.

New 49ers HC Jim Tomsula said at his Thursday press conference that his defense will continue to run from a 3-4 base. There had been rumors of a switch to a 4-3 front after DC Vic Fangio left, which had IDP owners dreaming of an alignment that could accommodate LBs NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis and Chris Borland. Instead, 2 of those players (Bowman and 1 other) figure to continue starting at the inside spots, with Aldon Smith on the outside and Ahmad Brooks or Aaron Lynch across from him. We'll see how all the lineup pieces fall for the Niners.