Hoover alum Eric Kendricks shows promise with Minnesota Vikings

Former Hoover High School star Eric Kendricks is making an impression on Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.

The second-year coach obviously liked what he saw of Kendricks from afar during a UCLA career capped by a Butkus Award-winning season as a senior. The Vikings drafted Kendricks, the brother of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks, in the second round this year.

Eric Kendricks backs up Gerald Hodges Jr., a third-year pro out of Penn State, but registered five tackles and a quarterback hurry in the Vikings’ 26-16 victory over Detroit on Sunday.

“I think he did well,” Zimmer said. “There were a couple of plays, obviously, that we wish he had back. I think for the most part he was in the right position. I think he’s going to continue to get better. I think all of this playing time that he’s starting to get and understanding his role is going to keep helping him.”

Kendricks will remain one of his own harshest critics.

“You’ve got to balance a lot of things,” Kendricks said. “Communication calls and doing your job. It’s simple things, but I hold myself to a high standard, so sometimes I tend to get frustrated.”

In Week 1 against San Francisco, after his brother’s Eagles played Atlanta to open a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader, Kendricks picked up his first career tackle in the fourth quarter.

Kendricks believes he can already see improvement from the exhibition season.

“I made mistakes, but I learn from them,” he said. “Just play faster each game.”

Mychal Kendricks ailing – Mychal Kendricks suffered a hamstring injury while in pass coverage in the second quarter of Philadelphia’s 20-10 loss to Dallas.

Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis said Kendricks has an “outside shot” of playing Sunday at the New York Jets. Kendricks tied for the team lead in tackles with seven against the Cowboys.

Et cetera – Oakland quarterback Derek Carr (Fresno State) completed 30 of 46 passes for a career-high 351 yards and three touchdowns with one interception and a passer rating of 100.9 in a 37-33 victory over Baltimore. Carr has three career three-touchdown games and 24 career scoring passes, moving him ahead of George Blanda for 13th in franchise history. Next up is Jeff George’s 33. … Tevin McDonald (Edison) was active for his first NFL game but didn’t play, then was put on waivers and went unclaimed this week, leaving open the possibility he will be added to the Raiders’ practice squad.

▪ Green Bay wide receiver Davante Adams (Fresno State) finished with five receptions for 33 yards in the Packers’ 27-17 victory over Seattle. Adams suffered a first-half ankle injury, but returned to the game.

▪ Denver tight end Virgil Green (Tulare) picked up his second career touchdown, a one-yard pass from Peyton Manning in the second quarter of the Broncos’ 31-24 victory over Kansas City.

▪ New England offensive lineman Ryan Wendell (Fresno State) was on the inactive list for the Patriots’ 40-32 victory over Buffalo. He had been declared out earlier in the week and also missed the opener with what has been described as an illness.

▪ Carolina linebacker Ben Jacobs (Fresno State) had a tackle as the Panthers beat Houston 24-17.

▪ Cincinnati safety Derron Smith (Fresno State) registered his first career tackle, albeit on special teams as the Bengals defeated San Diego 24-19. Chargers offensive tackle Kenny Wiggins (Fresno State) picked up his second career appearance.

▪ Chicago wide receiver Marquess Wilson (Tulare) had a 10-yard reception in the Bears’ 48-23 loss to Arizona.

▪ St. Louis safety T.J. McDonald (Edison) recorded four tackles as the Rams fell to Washington 24-10.

▪ Atlanta offensive lineman Bryce Harris (Tulare/Fresno State) was inactive in a 24-20 victory over the New York Giants.

▪ Pittsburgh safety Robert Golden (Edison) didn’t record a tackle as the Steelers defeated San Francisco 43-18.

▪ New Orleans defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (Fresno State) had no tackles as the Saints fell to Tampa Bay 26-19. Veteran left guard Logan Mankins (Fresno State) played for the Buccaneers.

▪ Dallas fullback Tyler Clutts (Clovis/Fresno State) played without getting a carry or a catch, while Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (Fresno State) was stopped for no gain on his one rush. Eagles receiver Seyi Ajirotutu (Fresno State) was inactive with an injury.

▪ Cleveland special-teamer Marlon Moore (Fresno State) didn’t record a tackle in the Browns’ 28-14 victory over Tennessee.

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 7:34 PM with the headline "Hoover alum Eric Kendricks shows promise with Minnesota Vikings."