Eric

Kendricks

Diggs played through the calf issue last week. He was limited in the first two practices of the week before being downgraded to a DNP on Friday. That’s when the illness designation was added to his practice report, so we’ll assume that is what caused him to be held out and not the calf issue. Players tend to play through illnesses, especially when they get Saturday to work through the ailment. Diggs should be no different. Linebacker Eric Kendricks is also questionable. He played through his shoulder issue last week and is likely to do so once again.

Kendricks missed Week 6 with the shoulder injury plus a calf issue. He returned after Dallas’s Week 7 bye but was listed as questionable versus Atlanta. Kendricks is clearly not fully healthy, but the veteran should continue to gut it out through the shoulder injury. He has two sacks, two TFLs, and an interception in six games this year. Per Rapoport, cornerback Trevon Diggs remains a game-time call.

Parsons remains out while nursing the high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 4. Linebacker Eric Kendricks is listed as questionable after being limited in practice throughout the week. With DaRon Bland still out, Dallas’s defense will remain short-staffed for a crucial matchup with the 49ers.

Kendricks did not practice this week, putting his status for Week 8 following Dallas’s bye in doubt as well. With DeMarcus Lawrence on injured reserve and Micah Parsons also out, the Cowboys are without their first, second, and fourth-leading pass-rushers by total sacks. Kendricks has two sacks this year.

The free agent addition has made a big impact over his first month as a Cowboy, totaling two sacks, two TFLs, one forced fumble, and one interception. Dallas is already expected to be without Micah Parson this week and fellow pass-rusher DeMarcus Lawrence is on injured reserve. This is a defense that can’t afford to lose more talent in their front-seven, making Kendricks’ practice status worth monitoring throughout the week.

In a surprise twist, Kendricks is reportedly expected to sign with the Cowboys after it was previously reported he would sign with the 49ers. Mike Zimmer, Kendricks’ former coach on the Vikings, wanted Kendricks for his defense in Dallas. Now the Cowboys are on the board in free agency, signing the former Chargers starter and defensive captain. Kendricks’ decision gives Dallas a starter and leaves the 49ers without a key linebacker signing.

The Chargers cut the veteran linebacker after the 2023 season for cap purposes. They were (and still are) drastically over the cap and needed to make some tough decisions. Despite finishing second on the team in tackles, logging 3.5 sacks, and getting seven TFLs, Kendricks was cut to save $6.5 million in cap space. Pro Football Focus graded Kendricks as their No. 26 linebacker last year. Kendricks will step into a starting role on one of the league’s top defenses for 2024.

Fresh off his 32nd birthday, Kendricks is now in search of a new place to call home in 2024. The veteran linebacker joined the Chargers on a two-year contract last offseason but fell victim to the cap, as releasing him saved the team $6.5 million in cap space while costing them only $2.750 million in dead cap. Kendricks appeared in 15 games for the charges last season and tallied 117 tackles, seven TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. Still a serviceable vet who is capable of racking up tackles, Kendricks can help any team looking for depth at linebacker, and he has plenty of experience as a starter.

Kendricks hasn’t practiced since tweaking his hamstring in the Chargers’ first game of the year. He logged seven tackles and broke up one pass in his first start with LA. He will likely be listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday.

The longtime Viking was released a week ago after eight seasons in Minnesota. He announced the deal on his personal instagram with the caption “Back in L.A.. Bolt up.” The 31 year old linebacker took a short-term veteran deal after grading out poorly in Pro Football Focus’ linebacker grades a year ago. This probably means the end of Drue Tranquill in Los Angeles.