Was 49ers’ Ahmad Brooks benched for tossing his helmet?

Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks was benched twice last year, but 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula insisted it didn’t happen again Sunday.

In the second quarter of a 26-20 overtime win over the Bears, Brooks came off the field and threw his helmet on the sideline.

Brooks subsequently remained on the sideline for Chicago’s final series of the first half and its first series of the second half, an 11-play drive in which outside linebacker Aaron Lynch sustained a concussion on the Bears’ final offensive play.

Brooks, 31, who played 50 of 78 snaps, was asked if he thought his prolonged absence was penance for his helmet toss.

Last year, Brooks was benched in the second half of a win against the Giants after he yelled at Tomsula over his playing time.

Brooks later was benched for a loss against the Raiders because he missed a team meeting.

Inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite didn’t practice after he played only seven snaps against the Bears because of an ankle injury.

Gerald Hodges, who had six tackles in a fill-in role, would make his first start with the 49ers if Wilhoite can’t play Sunday against the Browns.

Left tackle Joe Staley did not practice because of a knee injury that has made him a fixture on the injury report since Oct. 7.