Linebacker Eric Kendricks Signs With San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran Linebacker Eric Kendricks to their practice squad. If that name rings a bell with a slightly bitter tone, it’s because this is the same Eric Kendricks who left the 49ers at the altar last offseason. Remember that? San Francisco had a deal in place, the ink was practically drying, and then he ghosted them for the Dallas Cowboys. How will he play for the 49ers?
Why the Change Of Heart For the 49ers?
Let’s be real, the 49ers aren’t doing this out of the goodness of their hearts. Their linebacker room looks like the aftermath of a Black Friday sale. With the irreplaceable Fred Warner sidelined and other key players like Tatum Bethune and Luke Gifford nursing injuries, they needed a warm body with a proven track record. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and apparently, that measure is a 33-year-old former All-Pro who knows how to find the football.
Despite his age, Kendricks was no slouch in Dallas last season. He racked up a whopping 138 tackles, 3 sacks, and was a general nuisance to opposing offenses. For a guy in his 10th season, those are numbers you can’t ignore. The 49ers are hoping he can bring some of that veteran savvy and production to a defensive unit that has been more up-and-down than a rollercoaster.
What’s the Plan For Kendricks?
For now, Kendricks is chilling on the practice squad. This gives the 49ers some flexibility. They can elevate him to the active roster three times before they have to commit and give him a permanent spot. It’s a low-risk, high-reward “try before you buy” situation, which is probably smart given the history here.
Is he just an emergency depth piece, or do the Niners see him stepping into a more significant role? With the playoffs looming, every game is critical. San Francisco is looking for any edge they can get to stabilize their defense and make another Super Bowl run. If Kendricks can prove he’s still got it, he might just go from being the one who got away to the missing piece of the puzzle.
