Inside The Vikings

Anthony Barr Will Wear Eric Kendricks' Old Jersey Number This Year

Rookie Andre Carter II has Barr's 55, so he's taking Kendricks' old 54.
Will Ragatz|
Anthony Barr Will Wear Eric Kendricks' Old Jersey Number This Year
Anthony Barr Will Wear Eric Kendricks' Old Jersey Number This Year

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Minnesota Vikings

Anthony Barr is back with the Vikings, where he spent eight seasons as a key part of the team's defensive core under Mike Zimmer. He's on the practice squad for now, but with Jordan Hicks on injured reserve, an elevation to the active roster as soon as this weekend is likely in the cards for the veteran.

At least for now, Barr won't be wearing his No. 55 jersey when he sees the field. He's currently listed on the Vikings' website as No. 54 — which is, of course, the number his good friend Eric Kendricks wore for the last eight seasons in Minnesota.

That's a nice little nod to a previous era.

Perhaps Barr ends up getting No. 55 from rookie OLB Andre Carter II at some point. Or maybe he wants to wear 54 to show love to his buddy and former teammate.

The Vikings drafted Barr out of UCLA in 2014. One year later, they drafted Kendricks out of UCLA, reuniting the two. For the next seven seasons, they patrolled the middle of the field in Zimmer's defense. Barr made four Pro Bowls; Kendricks was a first team All-Pro in 2019. The Barr-Kendricks duo was at the heart of some excellent defenses from 2015-19, including the 2017 team that made a trip to the NFC title game.

Barr hit free agency after the 2021 season and spent last year with the Cowboys. Kendricks stuck around for the first year of the Kevin O'Connell era before being released this offseason. He's now playing for the Chargers.

Unless something changes, it'll be a little odd to see Barr wearing No. 54. 

It'll also be a pretty cool sign of respect.

Kendricks is no longer around, but Barr has been reunited with two remaining core members of the Zimmer-era defenses in Harrison Smith and Danielle Hunter.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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