Fans might remember that Kendricks backed out of an agreement to join the 49ers last year, instead choosing to join the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
"I think I would've taken more of a reserved role [in San Francisco], whereas I feel I have a lot left to give, and I wanted to be here [in Dallas] and be middle linebacker," Kendricks explained last year. "I wanted to share my experience with the team, share my leadership abilities, and command that huddle."
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Kendricks (6-0, 232) was originally drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round (45th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. Throughout his 10-year career with the Vikings (2015-22), Los Angeles Chargers (2023), and Dallas Cowboys (2024), he has appeared in 147 games (142 starts) where he registered 1,174 tackles, 21.5 sacks, 11 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 60 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries. He has also appeared in six postseason contests (six starts), tallying 43 tackles, seven passes defensed, 1.0 sack, and one interception. In 2024, Kendricks started all 15 games he played for the Cowboys, recording 138 tackles, 3.0 sacks, three passes defensed, two interceptions, and one fumble recovery.
A 33-year-old native of Clovis, CA, Kendricks attended UCLA for five years (2010-14), where he appeared in 38 games and registered 405 tackles, 13 passes defensed, 8.0 sacks, five interceptions with one he returned for a touchdown, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.
Blanton (6-1, 227) signed to the team's practice squad on November 19, 2025.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers mailbag: Will SF trade Mac Jones? Is there anything to electrical substation talk? Will 49ers be spenders in free agency?
Can't get enough of the San Francisco 49ers? We can help with that. We're back with a brand-new 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We asked for your best 49ers questions, and you came through with several good ones. Thank you for submitting those. Before we jump into the mailbag, be sure... -
Where the 49ers landed in ESPN's post-Super Bowl power rankings
The 2025 NFL season is officially complete after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi's Stadium. With Super Bowl LX in the books, attention has already shifted toward 2026—and ESPN wasted no time releasing its early NFL power rankings for next... -
Christian McCaffrey says 49ers would welcome Deebo Samuel reunion
A reunion between Deebo Samuel and the San Francisco 49ers may seem unlikely after the wide receiver pushed for a trade last year. The 49ers ultimately sent Samuel to the Washington Commanders, where he finished the season with 802 scrimmage yards—the second-lowest total of... -
Chris Simms details where the 49ers must improve this offseason
Despite an injury-plagued 2025 season, the San Francisco 49ers still managed to finish with 12 wins and added a playoff victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The roster showed resilience throughout the year, consistently overcoming...