The San Francisco 49ers have activated rookie defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw from the reserve/COVID-19 list. The team also announced that it has signed wide receiver Jordan Matthews to the practice squad. To make room for Matthews, the 49ers have released wide receiver Chris Finke from the practice squad.
Matthews worked out for the team earlier this week. The veteran wideout spent last offseason and part of the 2019 regular season with the 49ers.
Kinlaw's activation leaves six 49ers players on the reserve/COVID-19 list. They are listed below.
- WR Brandon Aiyuk
- TE Daniel Helm
- DT D.J. Jones
- LB Joe Walker
- T Trent Williams
- DE Jordan Willis
The reserve/COVID-19 list has been created for a player who tests positive for COVID-19 or has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person or persons. If a player falls into either of these categories, his club is required to immediately place the player on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Clubs are not permitted to comment on a player's medical status other than referring to the roster status and may not disclose whether the player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown of the newly-signed players.
Matthews (6-3, 215) was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. Throughout his six-year NFL career with the Eagles (2014-16 & 2018-19), Buffalo Bills (2017), and 49ers (2019), he has appeared in 73 games (46 starts) and registered 274 receptions for 3,288 yards (12.0 average) and 22 touchdowns. Matthews spent part of the season with the 49ers in 2019 and appeared in one game.
A 28-year-old native of Madison, AL, Matthews attended Vanderbilt University. In four years with the Commodores (2010-13), he played in 51 games (37 starts) and finished his career as the SEC's all-time leader in receptions (262) and receiving yards (3,759) and totaled a school-record 24 receiving touchdowns.
Finke (5-9, 186) signed to the team's practice squad on October 28, 2020.