A couple of 49ers players have taken to social media since the end of Thursday’s practice to clear up either what the media or Kyle Shanahan had said about the possibility of them having an injury.
Let’s start with running back Raheem Mostert, who didn’t seem frustrated when he was asked the question about his decision to wear a knee brace. The question’s asked at about the 30-second mark on the 49ers official YouTube page:
“Uh, yeah, so I’ve been wearing this brace, even two years ago when I had got an MRI. It’s just the longevity aspect. I intend to play this game for another 4, 5, 6 years if I can. So, anything that helps prevent my career being shortened, I’m going to take those measures. That’s the sole reason why I wear the brace.
Not just because I’m hurt or anything like that, I just take precaution.”
Mostert has taken to Twitter a few times this offseason saying something along the lines of he’s not done or don’t quit on him yet. You can sense his frustration, and I don’t think it’s a big deal that he vents.
Speaking of frustrations, here’s what Mostert had to say after the fact:
it in other training camps/practices. Why is it a focus now? I won’t allow you to put me into your “hole” of being old, washed up, and injured. I’m just getting started!!
— Raheem Mostert (@RMos_8Ball) July 30, 2021
Mostert missed time during OTAs, so the reporter asked about the brace. The question was why Mostert wears the brace in practice but not in games, and I think Mostert thought he was trying to create a story.
Javon Kinlaw took to his Instagram on Thursday night, saying he doesn’t have an injury, either:
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This one is strange because Kyle Shanahan said this on Wednesday about Kinlaw:
“He had traveled and stuff like a month ago or something. Just swelled up a little bit. So I’m not sure whether they drained it or not. But just a minor thing. And so he had to stay off of it for a little bit after they did that.”
Furthermore, Kinlaw sat out of team drills during the first day of camp due to this. Unless I missed one of the reporters say something, no reputable source accused Kinlaw of being injured or having anything more than what Shanahan described.
The players are a bit chippy, and the fan outrage doesn’t help.