Kendricks Sidelined, Seems Unlikely To Play


Photo by: Jeff Fusco

Photo by: Jeff Fusco

Mychal Kendricks did not practice Thursday. He is “day-to-day” with a calf strain according to Chip Kelly, though it seems unlikely that the linebacker will be ready for Sunday’s game against the Redskins.

“I don’t know what his status may be until the end of the week. We’ll see if there’s something he can do tomorrow or maybe Saturday but right now, he’s very doubtful,” said Kelly.

Asked to clarify, Kelly meant that him being “very doubtful” applied to today’s practice as opposed to the game, then allowed that there really was no doubt at all — Kendricks would not be practicing. Emmanuel Acho and Casey Matthews are both rotating in with the ones in his absence, per the head coach. As Sheil reported yesterday, Marcus Smith is getting time inside as well while they deal with a shortage at the inside linebacker spot.

Kelly does not like discussing injuries, and grew frustrated when reporters continued to ask about Kendricks’ calf.

“Can we get this out of the way? I’m never going to ask [specifics from the doctors], I don’t care, just tell me if they can play or can’t play. I’m not a doctor. So it’s a Grade 32. I don’t know what that means, you don’t know what that means so I don’t care. I never ask those questions. There’s no need for me to ask those questions.”

We actually do know what Grade 32 means — nothing. Strains are either a Grade 1 (no tear), Grade 2 (partial tear) or Grade 3 (complete tear).

Speaking with Dr. Brian Sennett, the Chief of Sports Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, a player can usually return the next week if it is a Grade 1. Grade 2 is typically a 2-3 week injury, and Grade 3 is generally 4-6 weeks. If it’s more than a Grade 1, we might be closer to “week-to-week” than “day-to-day.”

Elsewhere on the injury front, Fletcher Cox (back) was limited. Same for Cary Williams (hamstring), Josh Huff (shoulder) and Earl Wolff (knee). Matt Tobin (ankle) practiced in full for the second straight day.

Huff is hoping to play Week 4 in San Francisco.

Kelly came off as a bit agitated during other portions of the press conference as well, like when he was asked why he decided to keep the 6-foot Jeremy Maclin but not the 5-10 DeSean Jackson if size at receiver is that big of a deal to him.

“Jeremy Maclin is bigger than DeSean, isn’t he?” Kelly asked.

Yeah, but he’s smaller than 70 percent of wide receivers in this league, the reporter replied.

“You can’t get everybody that’s 6-5. Everybody ideally would like a Megatron-type guy but you can’t get all those guys so you make a decision on what direction you’re going and that’s the decision we made.”

Kelly added that a receiver’s weight is a big factor when taking measurables into consideration, not just height. Jackson is listed at 178 pounds while Maclin comes in at 198.

Along those same lines, Kelly was asked if Darren Sproles, who has 32 touches through two games, can maintain that work load for an entire season given both his size and age.

“That’s a good question. I think he can,” said Kelly. “I think his size, there may be a little misconception there. He’s 200 pounds. He’s short but he’s not small and I think there’s a difference between them.

“Darren is really, really put together. He is probably the most fit guy on our team. There is a special quality to him from that standpoint.”