The San Francisco 49ers opened Javon Kinlaw's practice window on Tuesday. The team will have 21 days to decide whether to activate the defensive tackle from the injured reserve list. Kinlaw has not played in a game since Week 3 due to a setback in his surgically reconstructed knee.
Kinlaw did not take part in Tuesday's practice. However, the plan was to have him start practicing today, and the third-year defender was on the practice field with his teammates for the Wednesday afternoon session.
The 49ers also opened the practice window for rookie defensive lineman Kalia Davis, who has participated in both practices this week.
Javon Kinlaw takes part in his first practice in 2 1/2 months. He told me yesterday that he's been in the weight room since October, is stronger than he was to start season. pic.twitter.com/FNzDBz1itu
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 21, 2022
#49ers DT Javon Kinlaw back on the practice field on Wednesday as he works back from injured reserve… Kinlaw said Tuesday he believes he can be ready to play as soon as this week. pic.twitter.com/zW3hpUBNAa
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 21, 2022
Javon Kinlaw and Kalia Davis: 2 DTs back at 49ers practice pic.twitter.com/pEKEwRkJFe
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 21, 2022
Eye spy Javon Kinlaw back at #49ers practice pic.twitter.com/lUXapuCGIX
— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) December 21, 2022
A look at Javon Kinlaw's return to 49ers practice
(would share a better angle if we had one available to us) pic.twitter.com/YYtk96nPEs
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) December 21, 2022
On Tuesday, Kinlaw was asked if he expects to play in Saturday's game against the Washington Commanders.
"Me, personally, I do," Kinlaw responded.
Of course, that will be up to the 49ers, who will base any decision on Kinlaw's progress during practices this week.
"It's been so frustrating for him," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Tuesday. "It's been a long battle, going back to the Cowboys game from a couple of years ago. I know he feels as good as he's felt. I know how hard he's worked to get to this point. I know how pumped he is to [have] an opportunity to come back and be a part of a playoff team."
Shanahan added, "He's been extremely consistent with it, and we've been able to do it for a while here without any setbacks. And we've done as much as we can. The only thing left for him to do is put pads on and go out there and play."
San Francisco made Kinlaw the No. 14 overall pick in 2020. The third-year defensive tackle has appeared in only seven games over the past two seasons and recorded just 1.5 sacks during his NFL career.