49ers DT Javon Kinlaw set to return to practice this week after lengthy IR spell

Some reinforcements are on the way for the San Francisco 49ers, in the form of defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

The 49ers announced Tuesday that they have officially opened the defensive lineman’s practice window to return to the field. Kinlaw has been on the injured reserve since suffering from fluid buildup in his surgically-repaired knee after Week 3. The former South Carolina Gamecock attempted to play Week 4 against the LA Rams, but was dealing with too much discomfort to suit up in the end.

Kinlaw has been on the IR since then.

Hinting at a return the last couple weeks, the Red & Gold will hope one of their prospects at the position can return to the field in time for a playoff push. The team has 21 days before officially taking him off IR, but it looks like he may be ready to go sooner than that.

“As soon as he looks ready to go, we’ll play him,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday before practice.

Javon Kinlaw, 25, showed promise his rookie season, posting 33 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, four pass break-ups and four quarterback hits in 2020. He has been hindered with injuries since then, only playing three games in his sophomore campaign before tearing his ACL.

Javon Kinlaw is "geared up, ready to go" for his opportunity to contribute on the 49ers' defense 👏 pic.twitter.com/IH5gQWokUV

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) December 20, 2022

“I mean it’s been so frustrating for him. It’s been a long battle, going back to the [Dallas] Cowboys game from a couple years ago. I know he feels as good as he’s felt, I know how hard he’s worked to get to this point. I know how pumped he is to [have] an opportunity to come back and be a part of a playoff team. So just talking to him this morning, he is geared up, ready to go, as good as I’ve seen him and his spirits are high,” Shanahan added.

The plan is hold Kinlaw out for one more day, returning to the practice field Wednesday for the first time since Week 4.

The 49ers also opened rookie DT Kalia Davis’ three-week window Tuesday. The sixth-round pick out of Central Florida has been on the Non-Football Injury List all season, recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in college.

Click here to watch Kyle Shanahan’s full presser

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