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The San Francisco 49ers could get a significant boost in their linebacking corps ahead of their Week 16 showdown with the Indianapolis Colts.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Thursday gave some unusual insight into the 49ers' practice squad goings on when he provided an update on LB Eric Kendricks.
The veteran former All-Pro signed with San Francisco's practice squad heading into the bye week and didn't participate in practice during the lead up to Week 15 because of a calf injury. Shanahan told reporters before Thursday's practice that Kendricks would be back in practice for Week 16 and even gave a rare participation report for the practice squad player.
"He's good to go," Shanahan said. "He's on the practice squad, so we don't have to say, right? I'll give it to you guys. He's limited too.”
Generally a practice squad player's participation isn't a big deal because practice squad players are rarely a major factor in games. However, Kendricks could be a new answer to a 49ers LB group that is short on depth and experience.
Career special teams contributor Curtis Robinson has been starting at Mike LB in place of Tatum Bethune who is out with a high ankle sprain. Bethune was in for the injured Fred Warner. Rookie LB Nick Martin is also dealing with continued concussion symptoms from a head injury he sustained in Week 13.
Kendricks isn't an All-Pro caliber player at this point, but he did rack up 138 tackles in 15 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season. He would be an upgrade over Robinson in the middle of the 49ers' front seven, and he provides more experience than Robinson and Bethune combined. That experience is a huge factor for the MLB who is responsible for getting the defense properly aligned.
If Kendricks is able to get through the week of practice healthy, we may see him starting for the 49ers on Monday in Indianapolis. Since there's no requirement to report practice squad player participation we may not get another update on him unless Shanahan is asked about him after Saturday's practice when Shanahan speaks with reporters again.
More 49ers: Brock Purdy passes 3-time All-Pro in 49ers' career passing leaders
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: LB Eric Kendricks set to practice for 49ers after calf injury
Continue reading...
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Thursday gave some unusual insight into the 49ers' practice squad goings on when he provided an update on LB Eric Kendricks.
The veteran former All-Pro signed with San Francisco's practice squad heading into the bye week and didn't participate in practice during the lead up to Week 15 because of a calf injury. Shanahan told reporters before Thursday's practice that Kendricks would be back in practice for Week 16 and even gave a rare participation report for the practice squad player.
"He's good to go," Shanahan said. "He's on the practice squad, so we don't have to say, right? I'll give it to you guys. He's limited too.”
Generally a practice squad player's participation isn't a big deal because practice squad players are rarely a major factor in games. However, Kendricks could be a new answer to a 49ers LB group that is short on depth and experience.
Career special teams contributor Curtis Robinson has been starting at Mike LB in place of Tatum Bethune who is out with a high ankle sprain. Bethune was in for the injured Fred Warner. Rookie LB Nick Martin is also dealing with continued concussion symptoms from a head injury he sustained in Week 13.
Kendricks isn't an All-Pro caliber player at this point, but he did rack up 138 tackles in 15 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season. He would be an upgrade over Robinson in the middle of the 49ers' front seven, and he provides more experience than Robinson and Bethune combined. That experience is a huge factor for the MLB who is responsible for getting the defense properly aligned.
If Kendricks is able to get through the week of practice healthy, we may see him starting for the 49ers on Monday in Indianapolis. Since there's no requirement to report practice squad player participation we may not get another update on him unless Shanahan is asked about him after Saturday's practice when Shanahan speaks with reporters again.
More 49ers: Brock Purdy passes 3-time All-Pro in 49ers' career passing leaders
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: LB Eric Kendricks set to practice for 49ers after calf injury
Continue reading...
