Mychal

Kendricks

Kendricks, who was with the Niners during training camp and was released after suffering an injury, could see fill-in duty while LB Dre Greenlaw is sidelined. The ten-year veteran hasn’t played regularly since 2019 when he was with Seattle.

Kendricks signed in San Francisco in August but was waived with an injury settlement shortly after. He suffered a “turf-toe sprain” and was off the roster before Week 1. Now fully healed, Kendricks could return to add depth to the 49ers’ linebacking corps. The 31-year-old has 91 career starts but only appeared in one game for Washington last year.

Shanahan put linebacker Mychal Kendricks on the same timeline to return as Hurst. The 49ers added Hurst this offseason after the Raiders waived him. Hurst notched 7.5 sacks in his first two seasons but was phased out of the Las Vegas defense in his third year. If he can make it through the final cut to 53 players, he’ll play a rotational role for San Francisco when healthy.

The signing adds needed linebacker depth for the 49ers, who started James Burgess and second-year UDFA Jonas Griffith in their preseason opener with Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) sidelined. Kendricks was inactive on Seattle’s 2020 practice squad before joining Washington and making a postseason appearance. The 30-year-old could find his way into snaps if he makes the opening day roster.

It’s the first we’ve heard on Kendricks, who was sentenced for his role in insider trading last month. Kendricks was inactive for most of 2020 on Seattle’s practice squad before signing with Washington in December. The veteran linebacker has 91 career starts over nine seasons and could resurface before Week 1 with his legal issues resolved.

Washington was able to poach Kendricks from Seattle’s practice squad since he wasn’t two of its protected players this week. Although the veteran made 14 starts for the Seahawks last year, he’s failed to crack the roster on game day at any point this year. Kendricks is admittedly a great mind to have in the room if Washington, injected with a core of premium pass rushers, is able to squeak out the NFC East crown and make a postseason appearance.

Kendricks went unsigned despite some offseason interest. He also had legal issues to work through stemming from his insider trading case. Signing a practice squad deal gives Kendricks time to get into game shape. Kendricks made 14 starts for Seattle last year and should find his way to the active roster.

It’s the first we’ve heard on Kendricks since he tore his ACL in Week 17. Kendricks is seven months removed from knee surgery and facing a pending court date after pleading guilty to insider trading, but he’s medically cleared and his trial has been postponed multiple times. Walking away from the Raiders suggests Kendricks may have interest from other teams. Kendricks started 14 games and played over 60 percent of snaps in Seattle last year. He’s one of the top free agents still unsigned.

The team promoted OT Chad Wheeler from their practice squad in a corresponding move. Kendricks’ pending sentencing stemming from his guilty plea to being an accomplice in securities fraud will ultimately determine his status for 2020 even if he’s recovered from his torn ACL by the end of the year. With that decision pushed back to February, it’s impossible to pin the 29-year-old with any interested suitors as he enters the open market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Schultz also reports Kendricks is expected to choose a new home this week. They’re Kendricks’ first-known visits since he was cut loose last week. The Browns have by far the most cap space of the three suitors, while the Raiders have by far the least. The Vikings offer the best combination of money and contention. Kendricks’ brother Eric also plays in Minnesota.