SANTA CLARA — Listed at 6-foot-5, 319 pounds with a six pack, 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is physical freak of nature. If it weren’t for his burdensome right knee, you could say he has all the tools to be a difference-maker in the middle of the Niners defensive line.
Kinlaw has started each of the past five games since spending 13 weeks sidelined with knee problems. The extended stint on the injured reserve was frustrating, but he’s still got the trust of coach Kyle Shanahan and been getting snaps.
“As a team, it’s been unbelievable, it’s been crazy. Just a special, special season,” Kinlaw told 95.7 The Game on Friday. “It should end the way it should end with this group. Individually, I feel like there’s so much more out there for me on the table. I just gotta stay on the grass.”
Availability has been the biggest problem for Kinlaw since he was selected No. 14 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. He’s played in just 26 of a possible 55 contests, unable to live down pre-draft concerns about his knee.
According to Pro Football Reference, Kinlaw has made five tackles in his eight games played this year. He played in 44 percent of the defensive snaps against the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round and made his lone tackle-for-loss in the contest, before registering no tackles in 38 percent of the snaps against the Dallas Cowboys last week.
According to Pro Football Focus, Kinlaw (38.5) is the team's lowest-rated starter on either side of the ball. The production on paper isn’t there, but Kinlaw is firmly in the rotation for the front four.
“Always a hell of a feeling to be able to contribute,” Kinlaw said. “It’s a special group that we got. It was put together like that for a reason. It shows week in and week out, no matter who it is.”
The Philadelphia Eagles will present the biggest challenge yet, as they led the NFC in points scored (28.1 per game) and yards (389.1 per game). It all starts with dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts.
“We just gotta rush as one,” Kinlaw said. “That’s gonna be the main goal and try to make him play quarterback inside the pocket.”
Kinlaw will likely find himself matched up against first-team All-Pro center Jason Kelce. The 49ers can exercise Kinlaw’s fifth-year option for 2024 this offseason and a good showing in the high-stakes matchup could pay dividends with his contract situation.
