The Los Angeles Rams made another All-Pro addition to their organization Tuesday.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported the Rams signed linebacker Eric Kendricks to their practice squad. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported the signing on X.
“The Rams signed veteran LB Erick Kendricks to the practice squad,” wrote Pelissero on social media.
The Rams also announced the signing just before Pelissero’s report.
Kendricks is in his 12th NFL season. The inside linebacker made first-team All-Pro and the Pro Bowl during the 2019 season with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kendricks spent the first eight years of his career with the Vikings. The past few seasons, he’s played one year each with the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers.
Last season, he had six combined tackles in three games with the 49ers.
Rams Sign LB Eric Kendricks to Practice Squad: Report
Kendricks is headed back to the NFC West as a mid-season practice squad signing for the second consecutive year. The 49ers inked the veteran linebacker to a deal in November last year.
He made his 49ers debut in Week 16 last year. Kendricks appeared in the final three regular season games for San Francisco, as he helped the team replace multiple injured linebackers. In the regular season finale, he started against the Seattle Seahawks. He made four combined tackles in the game.
Kendricks then played in both San Francisco playoff games in January.
The Rams added Kendricks with both of their starting inside linebackers having or previously dealing with injuries. Nate Landman is nursing a shoulder injury which limited him in practice early last week. Fellow starter Omar Speights exited Week 1 with a hip issue but was off the injury report ahead of Week 4.
What Kendricks Could Bring for Rams
Kendricks will provide the Rams depth and experience. If he gets an opportunity, he will have an opportunity to prove he can still be a playmaker too.
The linebacker posted 100-plus combined tackles every season from 2016-24. He reached a career-high with 143 combined tackles, including 81 solos and a career-best five sacks during 2021 with the Vikings. In 2022, he set a new personal best with 87 solos in his final season with Minnesota.
Kendricks continued to rack up tackles with the Chargers and Cowboys. Two years ago during his final full year as a starter, he had 138 combined tackles, including four for loss and three pass defenses with Dallas.
As a practice squad player, Kendricks won’t play every week. But the Rams will have three opportunities to elevate him as a practice squad promotion on game days. Per practice squad rules, every players has a limit of three elevations per practice squad stint.
Los Angeles could also always start Kendricks as a practice squad elevation and then eventually sign him to the active roster.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Kendricks might play for the Rams. Last year, he practiced with the 49ers for almost a month before making his debut.
The Rams will visit the Buffalo Bills on Monday, October 12 for their Week 5 matchup.
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