Javon

Kinlaw

Kinlaw is dealing with a knee issue. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday it will “likely be tough” for the 29-year-old defensive tackle to play Sunday. We can expect Kinlaw to be on the wrong side of questionable for Week 8 against the Eagles.

He was limited on Thursday and practiced in full today to avoid the questionable line. The 28-year-old defensive tackle can look forward to a Sunday of trying to stop Jadarian Price runs right up the gut.

Kinlaw dealt with a back injury last week but played in Week 2. He came out of the loss against the Cowboys with an additional injury to the shoulder. Kinlaw’s status for Week 3 is in question as he sits out of practice with back and shoulder issues.

Cosmi will need to clear concussion protocol in time to play in Week 3’s home opener against the Seahawks. Cosmi took a hard helmet-to-helmet shot from teammate Kaytron Allen while trying to make a block and immediately went down on the field for several minutes. Rookie sixth-rounder Matt Gulbin took over in his absence and could be in line to draw the start for him next week if Cosmi is unable to play. Quinn also said DT Javon Kinlaw suffered a shoulder injury and LT Brandon Coleman suffered a finger injury in the loss.

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.