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Minnesota Vikings trade Gerald Hodges to San Francisco

The 49ers dealt center Nick Easton to the Vikings for Hodges.

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Hodges, 24, started three of the Vikings’ four games this season.

Since coach Mike Zimmer took over in January 2014, the Vikings have revamped the linebacker corps, using a first- and a second-round pick in back-to-back years to draft Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks.

Easton was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent out of Harvard following this year’s NFL Draft and was traded to the 49ers before the start of the season. Kendricks was already starting over Hodges in the team’s often-used nickel package.

Update: The Vikings have reportedly acquired center Nick Easton from San Francisco in return for Gerald Hodges. “We feel very good about our depth at the position”.

Starting center Daniel Kilgore (ankle) is on the physically unable to perform list and can’t return until Week 7, at the earliest, after he had a follow-up surgery on his ankle this summer. The Vikings allowed 7 sacks in Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Denver Broncos. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers also will send a sixth-round pick to the Vikings.

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The move gives the Vikings added depth on an already diminished offensive line and speaks volumes about the organization’s trust in their rookie linebacker, who could very well slide into the void in the middle of the defense. Were you as surprised as Chad Greenway?

Gerald Hodges