A disappointing second season for defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has come to a close. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Friday that Kinlaw underwent season-ending surgery on his chronically injured knee earlier this week.
“They went in there and looked at the stuff, he'll end up going on IR,” Shanahan said. “He'll be out this year. We'll have an announcement on it, so there's a lot of things that went into it that they found. But I think the good news is they feel they solved the problem. And obviously, it hurts, him not going to be with us this year.
“But just talking to the doctor and not me personally, but [general manager] John [Lynch] and our doctors talking to him. They feel, he feels, that he found the issue and he thinks that'll be good news for us next year.”
Kinlaw played in four games this year but registered just eight tackles. The 2020 first-rounder flashed potential during his rookie season but hasn’t been able to help shore up the massive loss of DeForest Buckner following the team’s Super Bowl run in 2019.
No one expected Kinlaw to fill Buckner’s role immediately, but the 24-year-old will be trying to shake the “bust” label that’s sure to hang over his head entering next season.
Shanahan provided a positive update about rookie quarterback Trey Lance, who was a full participant Friday and is slated to back up Jimmy Garoppolo Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
“I thought he got better each day,” Shanahan said of Lance. “It was his first day out there Wednesday. We gave him some limited reps but he felt good on Thursday and we pushed him even harder on Thursday. Coming into today, just talking to him, he didn't have any setbacks and so, I feel good to go with him.”
All-important left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) was a limited participant Friday after missing the team’s first two practices of the week. Williams is listed as questionable after fifth-round rookie Jaylon Moore filled in during Week 7 without any big issues.
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“Today was his first day out there, so the fact that he was out there was a good sign,” Shanahan said of Williams. “He wasn't able to do it last week. Again, we just do stuff half speed, so he's not challenged at ton on it. But he was moving around and able to do it. And we'll get on this flight and we'll see how it reacts tomorrow. And hopefully it continues to get better and it doesn't get worse.”
The 49ers defense could be very short-handed this weekend against the Bears. Defensive tackle Mo Hurst (calf) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (knee) are out, defensive lineman Dee Ford (concussion) and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion) are doubtful and defensive lineman Samsom Ebukam (ankle) is questionable.
