Javon Kinlaw shows vast improvements in 49ers’ Week 1 win

Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was healthy enough to take part in every 49ers practice during training camp. And it showed in the team's Week 1 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kinlaw struggled during the team's three-game preseason slate, but he provided a nice contribution on Sunday, when he played 24 snaps as a rotational player in the team's 30-7 win over the Steelers. "I thought he took a step forward from last year," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said of Kinlaw. Kinlaw saw action on only two Steelers running plays, while providing pressure on two of his pass-rush attempts. He was credited with one tackle in the game. Shanahan took notice of Kinlaw's first snap of the game, when he blasted through an attempted double-team block of Steelers center Mason Cole and left guard Isaac Seumalo. His penetration enabled linebacker Fred Warner to fill the gap and blast running back Najee Harris for a 2-yard loss. "On the fourth play of the game when Fred Warner had that tackle for loss, that real violent hit in the backfield where he just shot the C gap, Kinlaw took up the center and the guard, which allowed Fred to be unblocked to make a big play," Shanahan said. "So I think Kinlaw did...