Former UCLA Bruin Eric Kendricks is back in the NFL, with the former All-Pro linebacker signing onto the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad on Tuesday. The 2026 season will be Kendricks’ 12th in the NFL.
Kendricks followed a similar path last year, signing late in the season to join the San Francisco 49ers, where he ultimately played a large role in the Niners’ postseason run. The former UCLA standout played in five games, getting three starts and making 25 tackles before San Francisco was bounced in the Divisional Round.
LA Rams Roster Moves:
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 6, 2026
• Signed Practice Squad Veteran ILB Eric Kendricks pic.twitter.com/puBWJY9Ume
We’ll see how long Kendricks sticks around the practice squad for the Rams, with the former Pro-Bowler likely eyeing a spot in the middle
of the Rams defense. Kendricks is now 34-years old and has over 1,100 NFL tackles.
Los Angeles is accustomed to having veteran players join the team after being away from the field, earlier this offseason the team had Aaron Donald come back for the 2026 season after being retired since 2023. The Rams have a pair of linebackers on their injured report, with Eddie Walls III and Keir Thomas II both being on injured reserve.
Kendricks was an absolute stud at UCLA. The former three-star recruit made 481 tackles, recording 10 sacks and snagging five interceptions, earning the Butkus Award and a First Team All-American nod. Now the linebacker returns home to Los Angeles for the second time in his NFL career, after previously playing with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Former UCLA All-American signs to the Los Angeles Rams' practice squad
