Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks seemed to turn something of a corner over the last couple of seasons under head coach Chip Kelly and defensive coordinator Bill Davis. A bit undersized, Kendricks was always going to succeed or fail in the NFL based on his ability to use his athleticism and speed to scoot around opposing offensive linemen and find his way to the ball in the run game and shadow backs and tight ends in coverage. The last two years, Kendricks, the Eagles second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, seemed to be doing just that. After posting 106 tackles, four sacks, two force fumbles and three interceptions in a 2013 breakout, Kendricks followed that up with 83 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles in just 12 games in 2014. Unfortunately, that 12 game tally may be what has some questioning his future in midnight green - beyond, of course, the trade for Kiko Alonso, the extension handed to DeMeco Ryans and the drafting of Jordan Hicks this past April - as Kelly was reportedly "frustrated" with Kendricks due to his inability to return from a calf strain last year.
An eerily similar situation may be unfolding in Philly again already this offseason. Kendricks, per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, is currently struggling with a hamstring injury. Kendricks has been taking part in some portions of Eagles training camp, but has been limited and, like Alonso and Ryans, has not yet appeared in a preseason game. While in Ryans' case it's likely just precaution on Kelly and Davis' part as the veteran 'backer eases back into action after suffering the second Achilles rupture of his NFL career, Alonso is dealing with a concussion and is working his way through league protocol and Kendricks now, per McLane, may also be dealing with an injury.
After the Eagles preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Kendricks did his best to downplay his absence while speaking to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com.
"I'm feeling good man," Kendricks said, per Parks, "just had some tightness going on (in hamstring)."
There was ample talk this offseason that the Eagles could deal Kendricks as the team reportedly hasn't approached him about an extension despite the fact that he's entering the final year of his deal. Kelly has also often intimated a preference for taller players at the position and across the defense, both with his words and his deeds. Despite the rumors, Kelly made a point to, after the team traded cornerback Brandon Boykin, find Kendricks on the practice field and assure him that he isn't going anywhere.
While Kendricks is unlikely to suit up for any franchise other than Philadelphia this season, it has to be at least somewhat troubling for the Eagles coaching staff that he's again dealing with the kind of injury that can linger well into the season and potentially flare up at any time and rob the team of his presence on game day.
