Eric Kendricks joins Rams on practice squad midseason deal

The Los Angeles Rams announced Tuesday that they have added veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks to their practice squad, bringing an accomplished defender into the building during the middle of the season. The move returns Kendricks to the NFC West after a short stint with the San Francisco 49ers late last year.

Rams add proven starter as depth at linebacker

Although this agreement is initially for the practice squad, Kendricks is expected to compete for a role that could see him elevated on game days or moved to the 53-man roster. At 34, he arrives with an extensive resume that gives the Rams an experienced option should injuries or performance issues create a need in the middle of their defense.

Across his NFL career, Kendricks has appeared in 158 combined regular-season and playoff games. He served as a full-time starter in each of his first 10 seasons in the league, spending the bulk of that time anchoring the Minnesota Vikings’ linebacker group. After leaving Minnesota, he played one year with the Los Angeles Chargers, then reunited with former head coach Mike Zimmer in Dallas.

Brief 49ers stint precedes new NFC West opportunity

Kendricks came close to joining the 49ers in 2024 and eventually signed with San Francisco 11 months later. His time there produced only three regular-season appearances, but he contributed both on defense and special teams. When the 49ers reached the postseason, they turned to him as a starter in both playoff games, during which he recorded 19 total tackles.

Now, the Rams will see if that playoff usage in San Francisco translates into another meaningful role. His familiarity with multiple defensive systems and history as a long-term starter could make him a valuable veteran presence in a linebacking corps that may lean on his experience as the season progresses. How quickly he earns a promotion from the practice squad will likely depend on his grasp of the Rams’ scheme and the team’s health at the position.