The Ravensâ hunt for defensive help will not include a former Vikings star.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks, who played eight seasons for Minnesota and was First Team All-Pro in 2019, recently turned down an offer to join the Ravensâ practice squad, according to NFL Networkâs Tom Pelissero.
For his career, the 33-year-old Kendricks has 1,174 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 11 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries.
When Did Kendricks Play for the Vikings?
Kendricks has bounced around since his final season with Minnesota in 2022, spending one season each with the Chargers and Cowboys. He had 138 tackles (71 solo), three sacks and two interceptions in 15 games with Dallas in 2024 before undergoing shoulder surgery this offseason.
While Kendricks is seemingly healthy enough to work out for teams, joining the Ravensâ practice squad wasnât an enticing enough offer for the 10-year NFL veteran.
Kendricks enjoyed some of his best days in Minnesota, where he had his first seven of nine consecutive seasons with 100 tackles or more. That includes 2019 when he recorded 110 tackles, a half sack, two fumble recoveries and was named a Pro Bowler in addition to All-Pro.
He signed a two-year, $13.2 million deal ($6.7 million) with the Chargers the following offseason but played just 15 games for Los Angeles before getting cut.
Why Were the Ravens Interested in Kendricks?
The Ravens are ravaged by injuries, especially on defense. Wednesdayâs injury report featured eight players from that side of the ball, including three-time All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, who was out with a hamstring injury. Additionally, All-Pro defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) and defensive end Broderick Washington (ankle) are on IR.
Smith, the team leader with 34 tackles, has a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to NFL Networkâs Ian Rapoport, dealing a significant blow to a defense that began the season with Super Bowl aspirations but is now allowing an NFL-worst 33.3 points per game. The Ravens also rank second-to-last in yards allowed (406.8 per game) and 25th in yards per play (5.7).
Kendricks would have provided some much-needed veteran experience, but perhaps heâs waiting on better offers elsewhere.
Is a Reunion With the Vikings Likely?
Given the uncertainty surrounding the Vikingsâ linebacker corps, a reunion with Kendricks makes sense. That said, thereâs been little indication of that happening.
Blake Cashman is on IR after hurting his hamstring in Week 1 against the Bears, and All-Pro Andrew Van Ginkel has been limited to two games due to a neck injury. Van Ginkel, whoâs coming off a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2024, did not practice Thursday and is expected to miss Week 5 as well. The Vikings play the Browns Sunday (9:30 a.m. ET) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
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