San Francisco 49ers have been handicapped after their defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw underwent season-ending knee surgery, following his injury since late season.

Kinlaw missed the final two games of the season following a knee injury in Dallas last December. He underwent surgery in the offseason but never completely healed.

The injury slowed him down during training camp, but he still managed to play four games before being forced to sit out again. After general manager John Lynch, physicians, and Kinlaw decided on another procedure, he’ll be sidelined until next season.

Also Read: Congress asks NFL for Washington Football Team’s probe information

“I think the good news is they feel they solved the problem,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday, according to Associated Press. “Obviously, it hurts, him not going to be with us this year. But just talking to the doctor and not me personally, but John 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.”

To replace DeForest Buckner, Kinlaw was selected 14th overall. In 18 career games, he has 33 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one and a half-sack.

Also Read: NFL: New York Jets QB Zach Wilson sidelined after spraining knee ligament

On the injury front, the Niners got some good news when rookie quarterback Trey Lance returned from a knee injury that kept him out last week. Lance is not listed as injured, so he might be utilised in a situational capacity behind starter Jimmy Garoppolo at Chicago on Sunday.

“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 day, just talking to him, he didn’t have any setbacks and so, I feel good to go with him.”

Also Read: Arizona Cardinals move to 7-0 for the season, roll past Houston Texans 31-5

San Francisco is also trying to reclaim left tackle Trent Williams, who was injured last week and missed the game.

Williams only had a short practice on Friday and is listed as doubtful for the game.

“The fact that he was out there was a good sign,” Shanahan said. “He wasn’t able to do it last week. Again, we just do stuff half speed, so he’s not challenged a ton on it. But he was moving around and able to do it. We’ll get on this flight and we’ll see how it reacts tomorrow. Hopefully it continues to get better and it doesn’t get worse.”

With inputs from the Associated Press