Nearly two years after Eric Kendricks verbally agreed to join San Francisco before pivoting and signing with the Dallas Cowboys, the veteran linebacker has returned.
The 49ers signed Kendricks to their practice squad on November 26, also releasing LB Stone Blanton in a corresponding roster move.
In March of 2024, Kendricks initially agreed to a one-year deal with San Francisco before changing course and signing with Dallas instead, opting to reunite with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who he had worked with previously in Minnesota.
More on the San Francisco 49ers Signing LB Eric Kendricks
GettyThe 49ers have signed veteran LB Eric Kendricks.
Originally a second-round pick (45th overall) for the Vikings in 2015, the 6-foot, 232-pound former UCLA product spent eight seasons in Minnesota (2015–22), a year with the Los Angeles Chargers (2023) and his 2024 campaign with Dallas.
Over 147 career games (142 starts), he has racked up 1,174 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 11 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 60 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He also has 43 tackles, seven pass breakups, a sack and a pick in six postseason starts.
At 33 years old, the Fresno-area native now returns to his home state.
A 2019 first-team All-Pro, Hendricks is no longer in his prime, but he can still be a solid contributor who can start if needed.
Last year in Dallas, he started 15 games for the Cowboys and amassed 138 tackles, 3.0 sacks, three passes defensed, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
The 49ers are thin at linebacker with Fred Warner out. Missed tackles and coverage issues have plagued Curtis Robinson in recent weeks, and Tatum Bethune has been dealing with his own injury issues.
Kendricks will give defensive coordinator Robert Saleh a plug-and-play option with loads of experience.
Game Preview: 49ers Play Cleveland Browns Week 13
Kendricks’ first chance to play could come as soon as Week 13, when the 8–4 49ers travel to Cleveland to face a 3–8 Browns team that’s far more dangerous on defense than its record suggests.
The Niners are fresh from a 20–9 Monday Night Football win over the Carolina Panthers that was driven by All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and a smothering defensive effort.
The 49ers are averaging 23.4 points per game on offense, while allowing 21.8 on defense.
Cleveland, meanwhile, has struggled on offense, putting up just 16.9 points per game, but the Browns’ defense remains nasty, surrendering 22.2 per contest and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks behind the NFL’s current sack leader Myles Garrett, who has 18.0 sacks in 11 games.
Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is coming off a 209-yard, one-touchdown performance in a 24–10 win over the Raiders and has been named the starter heading into this matchup.
“He’s a good, young quarterback,” Saleh said about Sanders. “He’s mobile, he’s got a big arm, tremendous confidence. He made a couple of really, really good throws in the game against Vegas, extending plays, getting out of the pocket, delivering the ball where it needed to be delivered. Obviously, he showed good command of the huddle and at the line of scrimmage. You anticipate someone like him who’s got that confidence, who has that skill set, he’s just going to get better and better every week.”
Weather could also be a huge factor. Forecasts and early betting markets are bracing for cold temps and major winds with possible snow off Lake Erie. That means this game will likely come down to whichever team can run the ball most effectively. With McCaffrey leading the way, you have to like San Francisco’s chances.
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