The San Francisco 49ers are signing former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks and acquiring defensive tackle Maliek Collins from the Houston Texans, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
The 49ers are sending the Texans a 2024 seventh-round pick, per the reports.
Collins, 28, is the 49ers’ fourth addition to their defensive line since the negotiating window opened Monday. The Niners are expected to release Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw signed with the New York Jets.
Kendricks will sign a one-year contract, ESPN reported Wednesday morning.
Financial terms were not disclosed for Kendricks, who recorded 117 tackles in 15 games (14 starts) last season before being released by the Chargers on March 5. Los Angeles saved $6.5 million with the release of Kendricks, who signed a two-year, $13.25 million contract prior to the 2023 season.
The addition of Kendricks will help the 49ers address the position after linebacker Dre Greenlaw tore his Achilles during the team’s 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.
Kendricks, who turned 32 on Feb. 29, was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019. He has 1,036 tackles, 18.5 sacks, nine interceptions, six fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles in 132 career games (127 starts) with the Vikings (2015-22) and Chargers.
Collins had five sacks and 41 tackles in 16 games (all starts) for the Texans last season. A third-round pick by Dallas in 2016, he has 25.5 career sacks in 119 games (112 starts) with the Cowboys (2016-19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020) and Texans.
–Field Level Media
