Could a recently-signed All-Pro make a quick impact for 49ers defense?

There may be a new face coming soon to the San Francisco 49ers defense.

All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks is joining the team's practice squad with a chance to make his way onto the game day roster after the bye week. With injuries piling up at the position, adding a veteran former All-Pro like Kendricks could provide a meaningful late-season boost for the 49ers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday in a conference call explained what the club will need to see from Kendricks in order for him to be a player they turn to coming out of the bye in Week 15.

“Yeah, I definitely think he has a chance to, that's why we liked him coming here," Shanahan said. "But you know, last week we had three days, and it was a short week, and we didn't do anything really full speed. So, those were his first full practices getting back since last year without having an offseason, and he looked good in those three practices. I know it'll be good for him to have this Bye Week to continue working out just for his conditioning and everything. Then next week we should get a bonus practice and have an extra one. So, we have four next week. So hopefully, we can get all that conditioning and football stamina in, and next week he can really show us where he is at a linebacker.”

The 49ers are scraping the bottom of the barrel at linebacker with injuries to Fred Warner, his replacement Tatum Bethune, and rookie Nick Martin. Luke Gifford has also dealt with some injury problems, and Curtis Robinson also missed two plays against the Cleveland Browns because of an injury scare.

Robinson's injury exposed some of the depth problems the 49ers are facing. When he exited, 2023 seventh-round pick Jalen Graham was the player San Francisco turned to. He was a standard practice squad elevation for Sunday's game.

Kendricks may not be a player San Francisco leans on to start and play on three downs, particularly since his coverage abilities have waned as he's entered his early 30s. However, they could make him the starting Sam LB who is only on the field in typical run situations. Having a veteran alongside young players like Bethune and Dee Winters down the stretch could be helpful for a 49ers base defense that has struggled at times while sorting out what to do with the third linebacker.

Perhaps the 49ers determine Kendricks isn't ready to help them, but he should get every opportunity to do so with a potential trip to the postseason looming.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Could LB Eric Kendricks fit into 49ers depth chart right away?