Eric Kendricks Has Change Of Heart, Now Signing With Cowboys
After agreeing to a deal with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency on Wednesday, former Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks has decided to sign with the Dallas Cowboys, according to sources. New Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer wanted Kendricks to help run his defense, and Kendricks preferred to play in Dallas under his former head coach in Minnesota. The 32-year-old former second-rounder of the Vikings in 2015 out of UCLA is a tackling machine and has reached 100 tackles in eight of his nine NFL seasons. In 15 games for the Chargers in 2023, Kendricks had 117 tackles (79 solo), 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, seven QB hits, six passes defensed and a forced fumble. The veteran linebacker should once again be fantasy relevant in IPD leagues as Dallas' likely starting middle linebacker.
The San Francisco 49ers signed former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Kendricks was a Chargers captain in 2023, when he started 14 games and finished second on the team with 117 tackles (79 solo). He also added 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, seven QB hits, six passes defended and one forced fumble in his lone season in LA. The 32-year-old former second-round selection of the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 from UCLA was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2019 and has had 100-plus combined tackles in eight of his nine NFL campaigns, with the outlier being his rookie season in 2015. Kendricks will be a solid replacement for Dre Greenlaw, who tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl.
Veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks is being released by the Los Angeles Chargers ahead of free agency, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Kendricks signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract with the Chargers last offseason after eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, but the two sides are parting ways after just one year. The move saves the organization $6.5 million on the cap. The 32-year-old has compiled 1,036 tackles, 18.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, nine interceptions, and 57 run stuffs in 132 NFL games. He earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2019. Although he's likely seen his best days on the field, he could draw interest from other teams as a veteran leader and signal-caller for defense when the legal tampering period begins on March 11.
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks signed an undisclosed deal with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. Kendricks comes to LA after spending the first eight seasons of his NFL career in Minnesota. He was a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2019 and has had 100-plus combined tackles in every single season except his rookie one in 2015. The 31-year-old played in a career-high 1,051 defensive snaps in 2022 and finished with 137 tackles (87 solo), eight tackles for loss, one sack, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 17 regular season starts. Kendricks should fit right in with the Chargers and should remain an asset in IDP fantasy leagues as long as he can stay healthy.
The Minnesota Vikings released veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday, according to sources. Kendricks was a first-team All-Pro in 2019 and has been one of the league's most consistently productive linebackers, but he'll be up for grabs in free agency this offseason. The 31-year-old second-rounder in 2015 also hasn't missed a game since 2017, so he's been extremely reliable for the Vikings and fantasy managers in IDP leagues. He played a career-high 1,051 defensive snaps in 2022 and finished with 137 tackles (career-high 87 solo), eight tackles for loss, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 17 starts. Kendricks failed to reach the 100-total tackle mark just once, back in his rookie season in 2015.
Eric Kendricks, Christian Darrisaw Land On COVID-19 List
The Minnesota Vikings placed linebacker Eric Kendricks, offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland and offensive tackle Brian O'Neill on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. Kendricks is the No. 5 linebacker in IDP leagues with 81 tackles, five sacks, four passes defensed, two interceptions and a forced fumble, so fantasy managers in those leagues may be without him in the Week 18 season finale against the Chicago Bears. Darrisaw, Cleveland and O'Neill are all starters on the offensive line, but the Vikings will be playing in a meaningless game in Week 18 after being eliminated from postseason contention in their Sunday night loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Vikings Defense Will Have Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr
Minnesota Vikings linebackers Eric Kendricks (biceps) and Anthony Barr (hamstring, knee) both practiced in full on Wednesday and were removed from the final injury report for Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Kendricks and Barr will return after the Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions. Barr has missed six games this year due to injury, but he's been effective when on the field with 32 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Kendricks enters Week 14 action as the fifth-ranked IDP linebacker thanks to 63 tackles, four sacks, four passes defensed, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in 11 games. Return him to your starting lineups if he's on your roster.
Eric Kendricks Ruled Out, Michael Pierce Activated
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (biceps) has been downgraded to out for the Week 13 game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings also activated defensive tackle Michael Pierce (elbow) from Injured Reserve on Saturday. Kendricks' absence on Sunday is good news for Lions running back Jamaal Williams, who is filling in as the team's lead back with D'Andre Swift (shoulder) out. Pierce is cleared to play on Sunday for the first time since he aggravated an elbow injury on Oct. 3. The Vikings defense will also be without Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter and could be without cornerback Patrick Peterson, who tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Despite all the injuries on defense, the Vikings are in play as a streaming unit in fantasy because of their matchup against the winless Lions.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (quadriceps) is active for the Week 2 game against the Arizona Cardinals after being listed as questionable on the final injury report. The Vikings need all the help they can get on defense with linebacker Anthony Barr (knee), cornerback Harrison Hand (hamstring) and defensive end Everson Griffen (concussion) out against the high-octane offense of the Cardinals. Kendricks led the league with 15 tackles in the Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and he's a strong starting option at the linebacker position in IDP leagues now that we know he will play on Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals after being added to the injury report on Thursday. Kendricks was limited on Thursday and returned to a full practice on Friday, so he should be good to go for this Sunday. "He's good. He's all right. We're just being cautious," head coach Mike Zimmer said. Kendricks led the NFL with 15 tackles in the Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and is in play as a starting linebacker in IDP leagues in Week 2. The Vikings defense/special teams, on the other hand, should not be started in fantasy. They will be without linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) for the second straight game, cornerback Harrison Hand (hamstring) and veteran defensive end Everson Griffen (concussion).
