In a move that came out of nowhere, the Minnesota Vikings have traded starting middle linebacker Gerald Hodges to the San Francisco 49ers.
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Hodges, a middle linebacker for the Vikings, joins the 49ers’ inside linebacking group of Navorro Bowman, Michael Wilhoite, Shayne Skov and Nick Bellore.
Hodges 20 tackles through four games is tied for third-most on the team, trailing only Harrison Smith (25) and Anthony Barr (26). He recorded eight tackles in Minnesota’s Week 1 loss to San Francisco.
Vikings general manager Rick Spielman announced the deal Tuesday. Throughout the season, the rookie second-round pick has replaced Hodges in the team’s Nickel defense and performed well enough to warrant the trade. “This is a young center; we tried to sign him after the draft”, he said. Easton, whom the 49ers acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional seventh-round pick, was active but did not suit up for games the past two weeks. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the pick is a sixth-rounder.
Starting center John Sullivan was placed on injured reserve after undergoing back surgery at the beginning of September, and the Vikings offensive line has failed to protect quarterback Teddy Bridgewater from opposing pass rushers – particularly on A-gap blitzes over the center.
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What do you think of the trade?
