Javon

Kinlaw

Payne was flagged after a hard-fought 13-yard touchdown run made by Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Payne can be clearly seen punching Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown on the left side of his facemask. Astonishingly, Commanders DT Javon Kinlaw was not ejected after striking a referee in the forehead, though he was penalized, after Payne was ejected. The Commanders also may have lost CB Trey Amos, who entered the game with a hip injury, and required two trainers’ assistance to leave the field after injuring his ankle on the play. Amos is currently questionable to return.

Kinlaw will get $30 million in guaranteed money on this deal. A former 49er who was drafted No. 14 overall in 2020 reunites with general manager Adam Peters, who has already added two other former 49ers to the roster this offseason. Kinlaw signed a one-year deal with the Jets last offseason and posted career highs in tackles (40) and sacks (4.5) in his age-27-season. Turning 28 in October, Kinlaw could make for a nice addition if he’s able to live up to the potential that once made him the 14th pick in the draft.

With his career derailed by his 2021 ACL tear, Kinlaw started just six games last season, though he did appear in all 17. He notched a career-high four sacks but earned horrid PFF pass-rushing marks in the process. Going on 27, Kinlaw isn’t exactly young and projectable. It’s a flier that is unlikely to pan out for Gang Green.

Kinlaw has played just 10 regular season games in two years and has yet to rebound from a 2021 ACL tear to become the same player he was as a prospect. Declining the option was a formality. The 49ers brought in Javon Hargrave to take Kinlaw’s place in the starting lineup this offseason.

Coming off an ACL reconstruction in mid-2021, Kinlaw has started just 10 regular season games in the last two years. Kinlaw has yet to have a PFF grade above 55 in three seasons and had a ghastly 28.8 PFF run defense grade in 2022. It’s possible he rebounds in 2023 at full health, but it’s easy to understand why the 49ers wouldn’t want to guarantee him big money in 2024 from this start to his career.

Kinlaw tore his ACL last year but was back in time for the start of the 2022 season. He played three games before lingering issues with the knee resurfaced. Once up to speed, Kinlaw will return to the starting lineup, adding extra firepower to an already dominant line.

Kinlaw played in just three games before heading to injured reserve early in the season coming off an ACL reconstruction. He’ll practice ahead of this week’s game and has a chance to be cleared for Week 16. Kyle Shanahan told reporters that as soon as Kinlaw is ready to go, they will play him.

Kinlaw has dealt with knee injuries since last season and recently underwent a season-ending knee operation. On Friday, the 49ers and a team of doctors announced the specific surgery he had was an ACL reconstruction. San Francisco expects him back for the 2022 campaign.

Kinlaw has been dealing with knee issues since last year, undergoing offseason surgery following his rookie campaign. He has totaled 1.5 sacks in 16 appearances since joining San Francisco as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2020 draft.

Kinlaw hasn’t played since Week 5 after missing last Sunday’s date with the Colts off the Niners’ bye week. He’s a 60-70% player on the interior of the defensive line when healthy. But last year’s No. 14 overall pick has been dealing with knee issues since last season when he needed surgery following the rookie campaign. Kinlaw produced just 1.5 sacks in year one.