49ers' secondary will have a favorable matchup if Jarvis Landry is inactive

Cleveland Browns' wideout Jarvis Landry is currently in the concussion protocol following the injury he sustained last Sunday. If he isn't able to go on Monday night, then the 49ers' secondary will have a favorable matchup.

Losing Ahkello Witherspoon in week three against the Pittsburgh Steelers left a sizeable blow to the defense of the San Francisco 49ers. Witherspoon had been performing at an exceptionally high level and is by far the most improved player on the team. Without him, the secondary of the 49ers now have a tough matchup with the Cleveland Browns wide receivers on Monday night.

However, the Browns have also been bitten by the injury bug. Jarvis Landry suffered a concussion last Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens and could be inactive for the game against the 49ers. If Landry isn't able to go on Monday night, then the 49ers' secondary will have a favorable matchup.

Outside of Odell Beckham Jr., the Browns don't really have depth at wide receiver. Even with Landry in the lineup, Beckham hasn't had much production. He and Baker Mayfield have struggled to get on the same page, but much of that has to do with head coach Freddie Kitchens. He hasn't been utilizing Beckham optimally nor has he helped him by scheming him open against double teams.

It isn't going to get much easier on Monday night for Beckham who will see snaps against Richard Sherman.  The Browns are going to need to demand a high level game from Antonio Callaway who will be returning from his four-game suspension. His return comes at a perfect time with Landry out, but he isn't really a threatening receiver. Compared to Landry, the 49ers' secondary will feel like it is a walk in the park.

When asked during a conference call with the media about his confidence levels about Callaway filling in for Landry, Freddie Kitchens answered "I think it is very hard to take the place of Jarvis Landry, but I think we got some guys here who would go out and perform to the best of their ability and we'll try to make it work."

That doesn't sound like a whole lot of confidence for Callaway, as I'm sure Kitchens hopes to have Landry for this game. The Browns' offense is in a bit of a tough situation with Landry out and the offensive line woes. Not to mention they are missing tight end David Njoku, which just further limits the offense of the Browns.

Expect to see heavy usage in the run game with running back Nick Chubb who is coming off an astronomical game. That will be the Browns staple of the offense in the absence of Jarvis Landry against the 49ers. If Landry is able to go, then Emmanuel Moseley will need to be the x-factor. As it stands, it looks like Jarvis Landy is trending towards the inactive side. There still is a lot of time left for him to clear the concussion protocol, but if he isn't able to play, then the 49ers' secondary will have a favorable matchup on Monday night.