The Sports Xchange

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The final position battle to be decided and announced by the Minnesota Vikings entering the regular season is the middle linebacker in the base 4-3 defense. The Vikings tried Audie Cole, rookie Eric Kendricks and backup outside linebacker Gerald Hodges at the position over the course of five preseason games.

Hodges probably is the team’s third-best linebacker. He’s the primary backup at both outside spots, but will have to wait for Chad Greenway to play what’s expected to be his final season with the Vikings.

Cole started the first two preseason games. Kendricks, who likely will play in the nickel as the second linebacker alongside Anthony Barr, got the start in the third preseason game. Hodges started the final two preseason games. In the fifth game, he and strong safety Robert Blanton were the only possible starters to suit up.

“I’m pretty confident at this point,” Hodges said when asked if he’ll be a starter. “It just depends where.”

Hodges had never played in the middle at any point in his career. He had a team-high four tackles in his first outing, a win in Dallas. He had one tackle in the loss at Tennessee.

“I felt pretty good in there again,” Hodges said. “They just wanted me to get in there and get used to seeing some alignments heading into Week 1.”