Erin Henderson enters OTAs as Minnesota Vikings’ top choice for middle linebacker
By Nam Huynh
Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson (50) against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings will have many options for how they will replace Jasper Brinkley at middle linebacker in 2013, but they will start out the offseason by looking in-house.
More specifically, linebacker Erin Henderson will get the first crack at it.
Henderson said coaches have told him he likely will open organized team activities (OTAs) at the position, according to Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
A shift of Henderson to middle linebacker likely means former Penn St. linebacker Gerald Hodges, the team’s fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, will get the first look at the outside linebacker position originally held by Henderson. The Vikings already told Hodges that they expect him to have an impact right away and team director of college scouting Scott Studwell recently said that Hodges projects as an outside linebacker for the team.
What happens in the early part of rookie camp and OTAs will determine if this positioning sticks. If it is determined that Hodges is not ready to step in right away, the team may be forced to move Henderson back out and acquire a veteran linebacker such as Brian Urlacher.