With two Pro-Bowl linebackers on this week’s injury report, the Seahawks added depth to that position group Friday, signing former Philadelphia Eagles starter Mychal Kendricks. Linebacker Jermaine Grace was waived/injured to make room on the 53-man roster.
Kendricks, 27, was a 2012 second-round pick out of California, where as a senior he earned Pac-12 defensive player of the year honors. He was selected one pick before the Seahawks took Bobby Wagner, an eventual three-time first-team All-Pro. Kendricks, who is 5-foot-11, 240 pounds, started 74 regular-season games over the past six seasons with the Eagles, as well as Philadelphia’s three postseason games in last year’s Super Bowl-winning season. Kendricks has starting experience at both weakside and strongside linebacker in a 4-3 defense, and was also an inside linebacker when the Eagles ran a 3-4 defense under Chip Kelly.
The Seahawks played without starting weakside linebacker K.J. Wright in their opener, as the former Pro-Bowler is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery that could keep him out again this week. Wagner was a new addition to the injury report this week, sitting out Thursday’s practice with a groin injury.
The Eagles released Kendricks in May, and he then signed with the Cleveland Browns. Kendricks was released by Cleveland last month.
Grace, who the Seahawks claimed off waivers prior to the start of the season, played six snaps on special teams in Sunday’s opener at Denver.
The Seahawks also made a change on the practice squad, signing linebacker Tre’Von Johnson and releasing running back Lavon Coleman. Johnson, 23, went undrafted out of Weber State in 2017 and spent last season on Dallas’ practice squad before being added to the 53-man roster in Week 17. Coleman, who played at the University of Washington, was signed to Seattle’s practice squad earlier this month.
The Seahawks and Bears will meet for the 16th time in the regular season this Monday night in Chicago. Take a look back at photos from past games played between the two teams.
Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) leaves Seattle Seahawks cornerback Cornell Webster (38) sprawling as he gains 11 yards with a pass from quarterback Bob Avellini in first quarter, Sunday, Nov. 5, 1976 in Chicago. Play was good for a first down. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike McCormack claps his hands while shouting encouragement to his players in the Kingdome in Seattle, Dec. 13, 1982. The Seahawks beat the Chicago Bears in their NFL game 20-14. (AP Photo/Dave Ekren)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Suhey (26), leaps through the air on a rush off right tackle good for two yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Seattle-Chicago NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 12, 1982. The Seahawks beat the Bears 20-14. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Game action between the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sept. 23, 1984. Seahawks won, 38-9. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Walter Payton, of the Chicago Bears, runs around Seattle Seahawks' Patrick Hunter after hauling in a Mike Tomczak pass in the second quarter of the game in Chicago, Ill., on Dec. 21, 1987. The Seahawks beat the Bears 34 - 21. (AP Photo/John Swart)
Seattle Seahawks' Marcus Trufant, bottom, and Ken Hamlin (26) sandwich Chicago Bears wide receiver Dez White in the fourth quarter Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 24-17. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Bernard Berrian (80) catches a pass for a 22-yard gain before being brought down by Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Marcus Trufant during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Chicago Bears tight end John Gilmore, right, drops a pass as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks' Michael Boulware during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 in Chicago. Boulware was injured during the play and had to be helped off the field. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson (32) carries the ball as Seattle Seahawks defensive end Grant Wistrom (98) moves in during a NFC divisional playoff football game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Seattle Seahawks' Nate Burleson (81) is greeted by Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram (84) after Burleson made a touchdown catch in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007 at Qwest Field in Seattle. Looking on (from left) are Chicago Bears' Adam Archuleta, Danieal Manning, Ricky Manning Jr., and Adewale Ogunleye. The Seahawks beat the Bears 30-23. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson in action against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, in Seattle during an NFL football game. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace, left, runs from Chicago Bears' Hunter Hillenmeyer during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Julius Jones during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deon Butler (11) celebrates with tight end Anthony McCoy after making a touchdown over Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brandon Stokley (15) is tackled by Chicago Bears safety Josh Bullocks (36) during the second half an NFL divisional playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
As snow falls, Chicago Bears' Devin Hester (23) is knocked out of bounds by Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan (9) on a punt return during the first half an NFL divisional playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) scores on a 2-yard run past Chicago Bears safety Craig Steltz (20) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) misses a catch while under pressure from Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas (29) and cornerback Brandon Browner (39) in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) reaches for the goal line for a touchdown past Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The Seahawks won 23-17 in overtime. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) leaves the field after scoring the winning touchdown in the Seahawks' 23-17 overtime win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Seattle Seahawks' strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) and defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin right, tackle Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte, upper left, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
El defensive end Cliff Avril (56), de los Seahawks de Seattle, captura al quarterback Jimmy Clausen (8), de los Bears de Chicago, en la segunda mitad del partido del domingo 27 de septiembre de 2015, en Seattle. Los Seahawks ganaron 26-0. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
