Mychal Kendricks will play his first game since September when the Seahawks host the Vikings on Monday Night Football, and that time away has changed his appreciation for the sport.
Kendricks, who signed with the Seahawks in September and appeared in three games, was suspended by the league, indefinitely at first, and then for eight games, having plead guilty to insider trading prior to signing with the Seahawks. He was able to return to practice following Seattle's Week 11 game against Green Bay, but this will be his first game back.
"Most definitely," Kendricks said when asked if his appreciation for the game has changed. "I never thought that I'd say the game of football is literally healthy for me, you know what I'm saying? But there is something that this game does for individuals like myself, and even those who watch and love the game. We all get together on Sundays, the people who are playing and the people who are watching. It's a special game, a lot of life lessons learned through the game and through this life lesson that I'm learning, the game has become even more special.
"I'm just so excited to be back. Words can't explain the energy I had out here (Friday) and all week. I'm just excited to be back."
While Seahawks coach Pete Carroll didn't specify what role Kendricks will have, it is expected he'll see significant playing time against the Vikings. Kendricks, a second-round pick in 2012, played in three games for the Seahawks prior to the suspensions, starting two of them at weakside linebacker, and recorded 15 tackles and 2.0 sacks. With K.J. Wright again out with a knee injury, Kendricks could step back into that role that has recently been held by Austin Calitro.
"Mike has had a really good couple of weeks," Carroll said. "This is the third week he's been with us and he's been aiming towards this game the whole time. He looks really good on the practice field. Like when he played for us, we really felt his quickness. You could see the plays that he can make and the savvy that he has adds to it. It's going to be a while before he's truly comfortable in the playing mode just because it's happened so fast. His awareness really allows him to jump back in and we're going to expect him to be active and be a part of it and play a lot in the game."
Making Monday's return even more meaningful for Kendricks is that it will come against his brother Eric, who plays linebacker for the Vikings.
"It is pretty special," Kendricks said. "It is special in a sense that during a hard time like this, you lean on those that love you. You lean on those that have been there all your life and it's emotional coming back. What better way to come back than to play a loved one? It is special."
The Seahawks and the Vikings will meet for the 15th time in the regular season this Sunday in Seattle. Take a look back at photos from past games played between the two teams.
Fran Terkenton, Minnesota Vikings Quarterback, is about to be sacked by Seattle Seahawks tackle Dick Harris (77) on Dec. 14, 1976. (AP Photo)
Steve Largent of the Seattle Seahawks heads into the end zone for a touchdown during second quarter action against the Minnesota Vikings, Aug. 23, 1986. David Evans (40) is seen in the background. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dan McGwire (10) hands the ball off to Lamar Smith during the third quarter of their pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings in Husky Stadium in Seattle, Aug. 20, 1994. The Seahawks beat the Vikings 30-19. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trent Dilfer (4) completes a pass to Taco Wallace as Minnesota Vikings' Chris Hovan (99) is blocked during the first quarter in Seattle Thursday Sept. 2, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Antoine Burns (19) runs with Minnesota Vikings' Nick Rogers (58) and Rushen Jones (31) giving chase on a 74 yard pass play during the second quarter in Seattle, Thursday Sept. 2, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant (23) breaks up a pass from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper intended for wide receiver Kelly Campbell (16) during the fourth quarter in Minneapolis, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. The Seahawks beat the Vikings, 27-23. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, right, looks to pass as Minnesota Vikings tackle Kevin Williams closes in during the first half, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, in an NFL football game at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Nate Burleson (81) runs on a 53-yard punt return as Minnesota Vikings' David Herron (58) and Naufahu Tahi give chase during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2007, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 8: Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks players line up at the line of scrimmage prior to the snap during the game between the Seattle Seahawks against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on August 8, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 34-17. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck throws against the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Seattle Seahawks running back Maurice Morris, center, leaves Minnesota Vikings defenders Vinny Ciurciu (bottom) and Leger Douzable (99) on the turf and Tyrell Johnson, top right, in the air while running for a first down in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game Friday, Aug. 8,2008, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson to end the second quarter in a football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Golden Tate (81) leaps over Minnesota Vikings' Josh Robinson (21) for a touchdown late in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) sets up to pass while being pressured by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) during an NFL game on November 17, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 41-20. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch rushes against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Referee Ed Hochuli, center, speaks during the coin flip at CenturyLink Field before a preseason NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cassius Marsh (91) pressures Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback Case Keenum in the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) is stopped by Seattle Seahawks defenders including linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) and strong safety Kam Chancellor (31)in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin runs with a reception in action against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL wild-card playoff football game on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 in Minneapolis. The Seahawks won the game, 10-9. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson (32) hurdles Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jabari Price during the first half of an NFL football preseason game, Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
