49ers decline to pick up fifth-year option for DT Javon Kinlaw
The 49ers have declined DT Javon Kinlaw fifth-year option, making Year 4 in the NFL even more crucial for the former collegiate standout.
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Amongst all the draft news over the weekend, the San Francisco 49ers also decided to hold off on giving Javon Kinlaw a new contract.
The 49ers confirmed the news over the weekend, declining to extend Kinlaw’s fifth-year option. The South Carolina alum will now look to use his fourth year in the NFL to prove his value with San Francisco. On the club’s side, they still expect big things for Kinlaw, optimistic about his training regime in the offseason.
“I talked with Javon,” 49ers’ general manager John Lynch confirmed to the media Friday. “Still looking for great things from Javon. Javon is having an outstanding offseason. He’s in a great place and he’s excited about what’s to come, as are we for him.”
The #49ers will not pick up the 5th-year option on Javon Kinlaw, per John Lynch pic.twitter.com/rBpmv45BjJ
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) April 29, 2023
The problem has never been about talent for the former first-round pick, more so availability, only playing 10 games the last two combined seasons. Coming off an ACL tear in 2021, Kinlaw was still recovering last season. After inflammation in his surgically-repaired knee appeared, the 49ers shut him down for the remainder of the 2022 season.
That is mainly the reason San Francisco has decided not to extend his rookie deal for another year.
“Because of the injuries, maybe it hasn’t gone as well as we all might have anticipated or as well as it would’ve had he been healthy, that’s part of this thing,” Lynch said. “Now he is healthy…He’s gonna be part of our rotation and we’re really excited about that.”
The 14th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Javon Kinlaw has racked up 45 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hits and four pass breakups. He has played a total of 24 games in his NFL career.
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