Kinlaw returns from COVID list; 6 others still out
The 49ers’ defensive line regained another important piece Friday when rookie tackle Javon Kinlaw was activated from the reserve/ COVID19 list.
The firstround pick returned to the active roster two days after another starter, defensive lineman Arik Armstead, and backup center Hroniss Grasu were removed from the list. Kinlaw went on the COVID list Nov. 18.
And now for the bad news for the 49ers: They still have six players sidelined because they have either tested positive for the coronavirus or have been a highrisk close contact with an infected person, and it’s possible none will be available when the team visits the Rams on Sunday.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams had an “outside chance” to be activated before kickoff. He indicated wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, nose tackle D.J. Jones, defensive end Jordan Willis, linebacker Joe Walker and practicesquad tight end Daniel Helm would be unavailable.
Williams was “the only (player) I could say that was told had a chance,” Shanahan said. Reinforcements: Cornerback Richard Sherman (calf ) and running backs Raheem Mostert (ankle) and Jeff Wilson (ankle) will be activated from injured reserve Saturday.
That makes it likely they will play against the Rams, but Shanahan said they will be listed as “questionable.” In addition, wide receiver Deebo Samuel will return after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury.
Shanahan noted a lack of players prevented Sherman, Mostert, Wilson and Samuel from having a typical practice workload before their potential returns Sunday.
The 49ers held halfspeed practices Thursday and Friday.
“We didn’t get to go totally full speed and same thing today,” Shanahan said. “But they got better each day.” Odd injury: Right guard Tom Compton, who has started the past two games, won’t play against the Rams because he suffered a concussion in Thursday’s walkthrough practice.
“It was unfortunate because it was walkthrough and he ended up getting a concussion,” Shanahan said. “We didn’t notice it out at practice or anything because we were going at halfspeed, but he reported it after.”
Compton will be replaced by rookie fifthround pick Colton McKivitz, who will make his first career start Sunday. McKivitz has rotated with Compton the past two games, playing 44 of 128 offensive snaps.
More Matthews: The 49ers signed Jordan Matthews to the practice squad a season after the wide receiver had several stints with the team but played just three snaps in one game.
Matthews, 28, a 2014 secondround pick of the Eagles, has not been in the NFL since he was inactive for the 49ers’ loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV in February.
The 49ers also released undrafted rookie wide receiver Chris Finke from the practice squad.