This is a prove-it year for defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, the San Francisco 49ers' first-round pick from 2020. His injury-plagued NFL career has been disappointing so far, and the 49ers opted not to exercise the defender's fifth-year option. That means Kinlaw is entering the final year of his rookie deal. If he doesn't show vast improvement and fails to stay on the field, his time in Santa Clara may come to an end.
Kinlaw has missed 24 games over the past two seasons due to injuries, including 11 in 2022. Luckily for defensive lineman, there haven't been any setbacks this offseason.
San Francisco signed former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave this offseason. He is slated to start next to Arik Armstead. Neither player participated in team drills on Wednesday, during the 49ers' first training camp practice. That allowed Kinlaw to get in some additional work.
"Kinlaw has been unbelievable," head coach Kyle Shanahan shared after practice. "I mean, you guys see how he looks, and he's gone a full year with no setbacks. And so to get through OTAs with that and then our 40 days away, it continued. And as that happens, he just keeps looking better and better.
"I mean, everyone knows the specimen that he is. So now, hopefully, that can continue through training camp, so he can really tie that to football. And if he can do that and stay healthy with the way he's worked, and the way his talent is, and his mindset, I feel it's a matter of time for him."
Does Shanahan seek to give Kinlaw more opportunities during training camp?
"Theoretically, yeah, just because if that guy just keeps playing football, he's going to get really good," Shanahan responded. "But we don't go extra because the more you go extra with someone, the higher chance of him getting hurt, and that has been what's held him back.
"So we're trying to be as smart with him as possible. But for the first time in a couple of years, he's been healthy enough to get himself in a position to where he can be treated like everyone else, just getting normal reps and everything. And if he is able to do that, I think things will work out very well for him."
Shanahan was also asked about the team's first pick in last year's draft, defensive end Drake Jackson. Jackson worked hard this offseason, adding bulk, working on his pass-rushing skills, and doing what he needed to get through the rigors of a long NFL season.
His coach has noticed the improvement.
"Drake wasn't as much of the injury stuff that Kinlaw had, but Drake, just as you guys know from the end of last year, just his rookie year and stuff, had to get in much better shape to make it through the whole year," Shanahan said. "And he stayed here right when the season ended. That's why he had a great OTAs.
"A lot of guys put in so much work, and then the 40 days away, they're like, 'All right, let me go take a break before we come back.' And he didn't. He stayed here the 40 days away, kept doing everything he had done since February, and he's still continuing to climb, so we're excited about him."
