CLEVELAND -– The trade that sent inside linebacker Gerald Hodges from Minnesota to the 49ers also sent him into a backup role.
Hodges started the first three games of the season with the Vikings, including the season opener at Levi’s Stadium, before the 49ers acquired him in a deal for backup center Nick Easton in early-October.
Hodges will make his first start with the 49ers on Sunday, as he takes over for Michael Wilhoite, who did not make the trip to Cleveland due to a high-ankle sprain.
“I hate to see something go down,” Hodges said. “I came here and got really close with Michael and NaVorro (Bowman). You kind of hate for something to happen like that. And at the same time, it’s such a blessed opportunity -- you know what I’m saying? -- as far as me. So I’m going to continue to just keep working.”
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It might also be an opportunity for Hodges to prove his worth to the 49ers and begin his bid for a starting role in 2016 and beyond. Hodges was credited with eight tackles after taking over for Wilhoite in the first half of last Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. Wilhoite, who will see his streak of 28 consecutive starts come to an end, is scheduled to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.
“My mindset is go out and play,” said Hodges, a fourth-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2013 out of Penn State. “I know what caliber of a player I am, so it’s all about the opportunity. I’m going to continue to do whatever coach needs me to do to go out and make plays.”
The 49ers’ defense has been up and down this season, especially on the road. The unit seemed to lack enthusiasm in the Nov. 22 game at Seattle before bouncing back with strong showings at home against Arizona and last week on the road in the 26-20 overtime victory against the Bears.
Hodges is an individual who seems to consistently function at a higher level of intensity.
“Gerald’s got a lot of energy and (he’s) obviously an athletic, good football player,” 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said. “We’re excited to have him on our team. I like his energy. Every once in a while, I’m probably going to say please ‘shh.’ But, you like that. He loves playing football and I’m really excited and happy that he’s here.”
Hodges had been with the organization for eight weeks before he was called upon to step into every-snap duty when Wilhoite was unable to play. He is transitioning to a 3-4 defense after being a 4-3 linebacker for the Vikings.
“He has handled it well and there are a lot of elements of what we do that have 4-3 components, which was good for him because he had that carryover of things he could relate to,” 49ers defensive coordinator Eric Mangini said. “He’s worked really well. And I give NaVorro and Mike Wilhoite a lot of credit. They embraced him. They brought him into the team. Situations like that can sometimes be not as open as those two guys have been and Gerald has been open to them as well. So, that’s helped push the learning forward.”
Hodges said he was comfortable fitting into the 49ers’ scheme, in part, because of what he learned from Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, a former defensive coordinator, before joining Mangini and inside linebackers coach Clancy Pendergast.
“Before I got here, coach Zimmer and his staff taught me a lot about football,” Hodges said. “Not just on playmaking, but the real game of football. Not just what I’m doing, but what the front is doing and what the back is doing. What everyone needs to do and why we’re calling certain defenses. I give them a lot of credit because they taught me a lot.
“When I came here, I was able to put concepts together. With the coaching staff here, it made for an easy transition.”
