San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was officially activated from injured reserve Friday ahead of Saturday’s game against the visiting Washington Commanders.
Kinlaw hasn’t played since Week 3 due to ongoing trouble in his knee. His 2021 season was cut short after just four games because he needed reconstructive surgery on the same knee, and a setback sidelined him in late September before he was placed on IR.
Kinlaw was a first-round draft pick (14th overall) in 2020 and started 12 of 14 games his rookie year. He has played just seven games since then, starting all seven.
“I know (Kinlaw) feels as good as he’s felt. I know how hard he’s worked to get to this point,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday. “I know how pumped he is to (have) an opportunity to come back and be part of a playoff team. Just talking to him this morning, he is geared up, ready to go as good as I’ve seen him and his spirits are high.”
Kinlaw has 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one interception in his 21-game NFL career. He returned the interception for a touchdown.
His return will come in the same game that Washington pass rusher Chase Young makes his season debut following an ACL injury that kept him off the playing field for more than 12 months.
Linebacker Curtis Robinson was released to open up a spot for Kinlaw.
–Field Level Media