⏩ Lineman ailing: Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw did not participate in team drills after recently experiencing knee swelling.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has a knee issue. And, yes, that should sound familiar.
Kinlaw, the No. 14 pick in last year’s draft, did not participate in team drills Wednesday, the first day of training camp, after recently experiencing knee swelling. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kinlaw’s knee swelled after he was traveling about a month ago.
“I don’t know whether they drained it or not,” Shanahan said. “… Just a minor thing. So he had (to) stay off of it for a little bit after they did that. (We) didn’t want to throw him right back out there because he stayed off of it for a couple of weeks going into camp. He feels good, He feels healthy. A guy who stayed off his leg for a couple of weeks — you don’t just throw out there right away.”
Kinlaw’s situation will be worth monitoring, given his medical file. He dealt with knee tendinitis before entering the NFL, and multiple teams reportedly flagged both of his knees as being at risk for arthritis when he was examined at his combine. Kinlaw missed the final two games last season with a knee injury that was termed a bone bruise before he had what the 49ers characterized as a “routine cleanup” in January.
Kinlaw said in early June
that he’d fully recovered from that procedure: “I’ve been back to 100% for a long time now.”
Bosa back strong: The only evidence that Pro Bowl pass rusher Nick Bosa is returning from a severe injury? The black sleeve he wore around his surgically repaired left knee.
Bosa participated in individual work and flashed his trademark explosion and strength while hitting a blocking sled and doing agility drills. Shanahan has said Bosa, pass rusher Dee Ford (back) and wide receiver Jalen Hurd (knee) won’t participate in team drills during the first week of camp. Bosa tore multiple knee ligaments in Week 2 last season.
“Nick takes care of himself better than anybody I’ve ever
been around,” Shanahan said. “I mean, the guy has a onetrack mind and it’s awesome. So you knew he’d come in great. It’s just about you have to know how much time it’s been since the injury. Him moving and looking like the player he is, isn’t an issue. It’s just about building up the right way so when he gets out there with 22 people, he can react and feel safe if he’s caught in an awkward position.”
Being ‘smart’ with Ford:
Ford, who missed the final 15 games last season, didn’t appear to attack the blocking sled with the same ferocity as Bosa, which perhaps isn’t surprising given the location of Ford’s injury. Before his latest back issue, which is around his upper back, Ford had surgery to repair a herniated disk in 2011 when he was at Auburn. He had a lumbar discectomy in 2017.
“I’ve seen the history and we have to be smart with him,” Shanahan said. “It’s been a tough situation for him and us just going through it and the sensitivity of his injury. I try to never get too high or too low with it. … I keep my fingers crossed. I just sit there and I’m not going to hope or wish. I’m just going to go about our business. If things work out for him, it’s going to be a hell of a deal for him and a hell of a deal for the 49ers.”
Transactions: The 49ers placed safety Jaquiski Tartt and wide receiver Jauan Jennings on the reserve/COVID 19 list after placing cornerback Emmanuel Moseley on the list Tuesday. Per NFL rules, if a vaccinated player tests positive and is asymptomatic, he can return to practice after two negative tests 24 hours apart. Nonvaccinated players who test positive will be required to isolate for 10 days.
With Moseley sidelined, Tim Harris joined Jason Verrett as a starting cornerback.