Lynch gives update on Kinlaw's recovery from knee surgery

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INDIANAPOLIS — John Lynch reports Javon Kinlaw’s rehab is going well, but the 49ers will not rush the lineman back before he is ready. 

The 49ers general manager spoke to local Bay Area media while at the NFL Scouting Combine and detailed the sophomore lineman’s rehabilitation from a knee procedure that occurred after Week 5. 

Kinlaw was on the field for 149 defensive snaps through four games prior to having the season-ending procedure, which was his second on the same knee. Lynch reported that while it was not a required surgery, it seems to have helped the 320-pound lineman feel less discomfort in his everyday life. 

"He’s doing really well, he really is,” Lynch said. “It’s nice to see Javon around with a smile. He’s not in pain anymore and he’s a big man. I think the plan is he could be back during the offseason program but we want to make sure he is fully rehabbed. 

"We don’t want to rush this because he is so critical to our success.” 

After the surgery, Kinlaw spent time in Los Angeles getting on what Lynch called the “Bosa Program.” The second-year lineman got more one-on-one attention than he would have at the team facility with the same rehabilitation staff that Nick Bosa used following ACL surgery. 

Later, Kinlaw returned to the Bay Area and implemented the same program of rehabilitation with the 49ers medical staff. The South Carolina product was seen traveling with the team at the NFC Championship game in Los Angeles. 

“He has made tremendous gains,” Lynch said. “He is doing really well and now we continue to implement that program." 

With the future of D.J. Jones unknown, the 49ers will need a healthy Kinlaw in the rotation on the defensive line. Arik Armstead was productive after being moved to inside and next to Kinlaw, the 49ers run defense would undoubtedly remain stout. 

“He has such a high ceiling,” Lynch said referring to Kinlaw. “We want to see him healthy. There’s that mix - how do you do that because he is also a bigger guy. Pad level and all that is important. He needs reps but you can’t do it at the expense of his health. 

“So we just need to make sure and be very diligent and we are committed to doing that. That he’s healthy before he returns and if that means training camp, that means training camp.” 

RELATED: Report: Jimmy G won't throw for 16 weeks after shoulder surgery

The 49ers held Kinlaw out most of the 2021 training camp after having his first procedure following his rookie season. The sizable lineman recorded eight tackles, one solo and one quarterback hit before missing the remainder of the season.  

“It was a commitment that we didn’t have him all last year but looking back probably the right decision,” Lynch said. “That remains to be seen, but probably the right decision to allow to fully realize his talent, which is vast.”  

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