49ers rookie defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw is taking some extreme measures during his offseason training. While he hasn’t gotten to take on offensive lineman since the club selected him No. 14 overall out of South Carolina in this year’s draft, he’s still finding ways to get work in against a different kind of opponent.
Kinlaw is working with defensive line trainer Cam Spence while the NFL forbids teams from working out in person as part of its protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Spence on Friday posted a video on Instagram of Kinlaw working on his hand placement via a drill involving knives.
While this looks like a sort of medieval-style training device, it does serve a purpose. Hand-usage is a key component of a defensive lineman’s ability to win his matchups. This drill gives Kinlaw the opportunity to focus on getting his hands quickly to the correct spot.
The good news for Kinlaw is that offensive linemen are not allowed to carry weapons — so the level of danger will subside some on the field.
The 49ers are slated to begin training camp on July 28 in Santa Clara, although that date could be in jeopardy with local protocols continuing to keep the facility shut down heading into the middle of the month. Whenever the team is allowed to work out and begin camp, Kinlaw can get back to more traditional, less perilous drills.
