SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Barring setbacks, the San Francisco 49ers are on pace to get star tight end Vernon Davis and standout rookie Eric Reid back for Sunday's pivotal game against the New Orleans Saints.

Both left the 49ers' 10-9 home loss to Carolina on Sunday with concussions.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said both players were symptom-free and cleared for non-contact work Wednesday. As long as they continue to pass NFL protocol tests, they should be cleared to play Sunday.

Reid's situation appeared to be more complicated than Davis' because this is his second concussion of the season; he suffered one against Seattle in Week 2. Still, Reid appeared to be well when he spoke to media members Wednesday.

"I feel good," said. "I just have to continue to follow [protocol]."

Both Harbaugh and Reid said he may have to adjust the way he approaches tackling in the future to stop his concussion trend. Reid said he never had a concussion before the two this fall.

He said the size and speed of his offensive targets may make him change his approach somewhat. He said he thought he should have approached 250-pound Carolina running back Mike Tolbert lower than he did.

Not all 49ers' injury news was positive. Defensive tackle Ray McDonald is in a walking boot with a high left ankle sprain, and it may be too difficult for him to play Sunday. McDonald left the Carolina game in the first quarter. Tony Jerod-Eddie and DeMarcus Dobbs played well in McDonald's absence and will be poised to play against New Orleans.