The San Francisco 49ers could be without two defensive starters when they take the field in a couple of hours against the Detroit Lions. Neither cornerback Emmanuel Moseley nor defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is expected to play. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, both are undergoing some pre-game rehab leading to kickoff. Still, Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles remains a possibility for the two defenders.
Emmanuel Moseley and Javon Kinlaw are getting in some pre-game rehab in Detroit. Neither is expected to play today but are possibilities in Philly.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) September 12, 2021
Moseley and Kinlaw were listed as "doubtful" on the team's official injury report issued on Friday. They are both dealing with knee injuries. Moseley's occurred during practice on September 2.
Same for #49ers CB Emmanuel Moseley, who is also dealing with knee issue and listed as doubtful today. pic.twitter.com/qMaYLlotiU
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 12, 2021
"It's like a getaway practice where we're off for the weekend after that, and he just got tripped up, fallen on," general manager John Lynch said this past week of Moseley's injury. "And so, he's got a little bit of an issue. He's working through [it]. We'll see for this weekend, but I think after that, it's looking good."
On Saturday, the 49ers activated cornerback Dontae Johnson from the practice squad.
Kinlaw's issue originated from the team's game against the Dallas Cowboys last season. The defender missed the final two games of the season because of the injury.
#49ers DT Javon Kinlaw getting a pregame workout in. He's dealing with knee issue and listed as doubtful to play today against Lions. pic.twitter.com/2zcWaZh038
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 12, 2021
"You know, it's kind of a deal where we've been able to quiet it down at times," Lynch said. "And other times, it gets flared up. He was doing really well throughout the offseason, and it kind of flared up on him again at some point a couple of weeks ago. We tried to quiet it down, but it's not working real well right now."
The 49ers will release their list of inactive players in about 30 minutes. Moseley and Kinlaw will most likely be among those names.