49ers Beat:
Javon Kinlaw limited with latest knee issue; Nick Bosa envisions busy return.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw sat out the final two games of last season with a knee injury. He was sidelined at the start of training camp with knee swelling. And it appears he’ll be dealing with a knee issue when the 49ers open his second NFL season Sunday in Detroit.
Kinlaw, last year’s No. 14 pick who had knee surgery in January, did not participate in individual drills Thursday during the practice window open to the media. After stretching on the side, Kinlaw, wearing a sleeve that covered his right leg, went to the weight room with a trainer. Kinlaw, who officially was listed as limited on the injury report, was in uniform and took part in practice-opening warm-ups, which he didn’t do Wednesday when he was listed as a non-participant.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Kinlaw’s practice status on Wednesday.
“I expect Kinlaw to be out there tomorrow,” Shanahan said. “I’m hoping he will be.”
Kinlaw’s knees were flagged by multiple teams for being at risk for arthritis at least year’s combine. He sat out Wednesday after the 49ers had just one practice in the previous five days. Kentavius Street and Zach Kerr are candidates to replace Kinlaw in the starting lineup if he’s sidelined Sunday.
No limits: Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa wasn’t limited in Thursday’s practice after he was a full participant Wednesday. He expects much of the same Sunday.
“There’s really no pitch count for me,” Bosa said. “I’m just going to go. … I’m fully confident to play as many snaps as I need to.”
Bosa will be playing in his first game since he suffered a torn ACL and cartilage damage last September. The 49ers eased him back into action this summer. Bosa returned to team drills Aug. 25.
“Bosa is looking great,” defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans said. “He’s done a phenomenal job. It’s just a testament to him. The work that he’s put in throughout this whole entire process of rehabbing … I’m very excited, very fired up.”
Special performance: Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell returned just five kickoffs at Louisiana and didn’t play on coverage units in college.
However, the sixth-round pick made his NFL debut in the preseason finale against the Raiders on Aug. 29 and made an impact on special teams. Mitchell made a tackle on the game-opening kickoff at the Raiders’ 15-yard line. In the third quarter, Mitchell, who was sidelined for part of training camp with a hip injury, had a 45-yard kickoff return.
“It’s a one-game sample,” special-teams coach Richard Hightower said, “but it was a hell of a sample.”
Mitchell is expected to handle kickoff-return duties Sunday. Last year, the 49ers ranked 29th in the NFL in kickoffreturn average (19.3 yards).
Injury report: Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and wide receiver Jalen Hurd did not practice because of knee injuries. Moseley was in a cold tub at the end of the media practice window . ... Quarterback Trey Lance (finger) and defensive tackle Kevin Givens (hip) were limited.