Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was among the players not on the field for team drills when the San Francisco 49ers conducted their first training camp practice earlier today. The team plans to ease him back into a normal workload after the second-year defender underwent multiple procedures on his knee this offseason.
Kinlaw had what was described as a "clean-up procedure" performed on his knee following last season. More recently, he underwent a minor procedure to reduce some swelling in the knee. Unfortunately, that limited what he could do during practice today.
"He had, traveling and stuff like a month ago or something, [his knee] just swelled up a little bit," Shanahan told reporters after practice. "I don't know whether they drained it or not. I'll get it exactly for you guys tomorrow. But just a minor thing. And so, he had to stay off of it for a little bit after they did that.
"And we don't want to throw him right back out there because he stayed off of it for a couple of weeks going into camp. I feel good (about it). I feel he's healthy. But a guy who stayed off his leg for a couple of weeks, you don't just throw out there right away."
San Francisco made Kinlaw the No. 14 overall draft pick last year. He missed the final two games of last season due to a knee injury. Earlier this offseason, Kinlaw told reporters that he felt completely healthy following the initial procedure.
"It was just a little clean-up," Kinlaw said in June. "I've been back [to] 100 percent for a long time now."
Wide receiver Jalen Hurd (ACL) and defensive ends Nick Bosa (ACL) and Dee Ford (neck, back) were also limited during practice.