Since training camp started, the 49ers had been trying to manage Javon Kinlaw’s health. For most of his rookie season, they felt they were able to deal with the knee issues he’d dealt with in college, but a late-season knee injury against the Dallas Cowboys set him back.
Despite multiple surgeries this offseason, Kinlaw could not get right, and over the course of the last couple weeks, the tone shifted. Both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch indicated that Kinlaw’s knee was getting worse and it was hindering his development.
Known as the most explosive defensive tackle coming out of college in 2020, Kinlaw appeared to completely lose that burst.
On Friday, Shanahan announced what seemed to be inevitable; Kinlaw underwent season-ending knee surgery. He said the surgery was performed by doctor Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, but that they expect the surgery will have him in a better situation long term.
“They went in there, looked at the stuff, he’ll end up going on IR. He’ll be out this year,” Shanahan said. “There’s a lot of things that went into it that they found, but I think the good news is they feel they solved the problem. And obviously it hurts that he’s not going to be with us this year, but just talking to the doctor — not me personally — but John [Lynch] and and our doctors talking to [ElAttrache], he feels that he found the issue and thinks that it’ll be good news for us next year.”
It’s brutal news for the 49ers’ top pick from a year ago, and the man who was supposed to replace the ever-present DeForest Buckner.
In addition to Kinlaw, Maurice Hurst, who suffered what Shanahan called a four-to-eight-week calf injury, already went on injured reserve this year, and would be done for the season if he was placed back on the list.
Shanahan said he expects that Kevin Givens, whose IR practice window opened this week, will be available Sunday, and that it’s likely Jordan Willis, who is returning from suspension, will play too.
Part of that depends on the health status of Dee Ford, who, along with Azeez Al-Shaair, is listed as doubtful. Both have concussions and have not cleared protocol yet.
There is, however, some positive news. Trent Williams practiced for the first time in two weeks and neither Deebo Samuel nor Trey Lance have injury statuses. Lance will be the backup on Sunday.
Below are the 49ers’ game statuses for Sunday’s game against the Bears:
OUT:
S Jaquiski Tartt (knee)
DT Javon Kinlaw (knee)
DT Maurice Hurst (calf)
Doubtful:
DE Dee Ford
LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Questionable:
LT Trent Williams
DE Samson Ebukam
Shanahan said a handful of roster moves are likely expected given the injuries.
The 49ers aren’t alone, though. Chicago will be without star edge rusher Khalil Mack and have five players listed as questionable.