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Javon Kinlaw, the San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle selected No. 14 overall in 2020, appeared in just four games this past season before undergoing reconstructive surgery to repair his ACL. The good news is that Kinlaw's recovery seems to be going well.
"I'm feeling amazing," Kinlaw said. "Really, honest, I've had nothing but ups, no downs. Knock on wood. Everything has been progressing the right way. As far as from a health standpoint, I already feel healthier than I was last year when I was on the field, so I'm just excited to really get back out there and just be able to really showcase what a healthy Javon Kinlaw can do for this organization."
After an offseason procedure last year, things appeared to be trending well for Kinlaw. However, complications emerged and spilled over into the regular season, limiting his availability.
"I just kept having a lot of fluid build up in my knee every week," Kinlaw explained. "We would go in, try to work on it, get it flushed out. It just wouldn't respond the right way. Honestly, I did everything I could. Anybody would tell you that. I did everything I could to put myself into position to play but I just couldn't. I played hurt for so long, I was used to it. But it got to the point where I couldn't really go out there anymore.
"All in all, the rehab process has been cool, the little things I've been working on, a lot of single-leg things, just a lot of bending, that type of stuff. I already got way more knee [flexibility] than I ever had in my life. Hip flexibility—I've got more hip flexibility than I ever had in my life. The things that I do now, I've probably never been able to do in my life, so it's just really exciting."
Kinlaw registered eight tackles through four game appearances last season. That followed a rookie 2020 campaign that saw the defender record 33 tackles, three tackles for a loss, four quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, an interception, a touchdown, and four passes defended. He's looking to prove his doubters wrong in 2022.
"People, I don't know, it just don't register to people that, 'F--k, I can't play,'" Kinlaw shared. "And when you're out there, and you're trying to do the best you can, they're like, 'Aw, he sucks. This guy sucks. That guy sucks.' Let somebody get healthy before you judge them."
49ers' Kyle Shanahan: Javon Kinlaw's hard work showing up on the film
By David Bonilla
Sep 22
All offseason, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in fourth-year defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw despite the team not exercising the player's fifth-year option. It was certainly more confidence than fans had in the former first-round draft pick.
Kinlaw had missed 24 games over the past two seasons. He underwent reconstructive knee surgery in 2021. A setback last season forced Kinlaw to miss 11 games. Fans were ready to label the defensive lineman a "bust." Some already had.
The defensive lineman just could not stay on the football field.
Kinlaw is finally healthy, though, and making his presence known. The defensive tackle is on pace for his best Pro Football Focus grade after an unimpressive first three NFL seasons.
DT Javon Hargrave signing with 49ers paying off immediately for both sides
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Sep 23
The San Francisco 49ers have started off the season hot, improving to 3-0 fresh off a Thursday Night victory over the New York Giants this week in their home opener.
It's been a two-sided effort for the 49ers, who have scored 30 points in each of the team's three games, while limiting opponents to 42 points overall.
A big portion of their defensive success? The talent on their defensive line, and this season, it has been headlined by star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who leads the team with 10 quarterback hurries.
Coming into the season, it was known that Hargrave was a premier pass-rushing talent for the 49ers, but he's been on a tear to start the season, arguably serving as the team's best player on that end, which is exactly what San Francisco
49ers WR Deebo Samuel's status appears to be trending up ahead of Week 4
By Rohan Chakravarthi
14 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers announced their weekly practice squad elevations, sharing that wide receiver Willie Snead and cornerback Kendall Sheffield will be called up to the active roster for their Week 4 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
With the announcement that Snead would be called up, one may assume that 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel's status would be trending down, as the 49ers expect to add another wideout to the active roster for Week 4.
However, it's actually the opposite.
Looking at the injury report, the 49ers aren't at risk of just missing Samuel, but
49ers Notebook: Deebo is no longer "awful"; Ronnie Bell makes a splash; J.J. Watt praises Niners; Captain Andrew Luck makes Levi's cameo
By Kirk Larrabee
Sep 22
Thursday night was a fun one at Levi's Stadium, where the San Francisco 49ers cruised to a 30-12 victory over the visiting New York Giants. It was a night that saw wide receiver Deebo Samuel declare himself as officially out of "awful" mode, running back Christian McCaffrey reach milestones, wide receiver Ronnie Bell create some lasting memories, and -- of all things -- Andrew Luck making a return to an NFL field (in full Civil War costume) to take part in a game of trivia.
Let's recap all that and more in this version of 49ers Notebook.
Not awful anymore
Back in June, Deebo Samuel caught some attention with his honest description of his 2022 performance
