The Niners benched LB Gerald Hodges for Sunday's loss to the Falcons because of an unspecified violation of team rules. Michael Wilhoite started in Hodges' place next to Nick Bellore and collected a modest 6 tackles (5 solo). We'll see about Hodges' status for Week 16 at L.A.

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The 49ers on Monday confirmed that LB NaVorro Bowman will miss the rest of the season after tearing his left Achilles' tendon against the Cowboys. Nick Bellore stepped in for Bowman on Sunday and looks like he'll start, according to the Sacramento Bee. Michael Wilhoite manned the other ILB spot next to Bowman. Wilhoite's the IDP option for now. We'll see what Bellore does in what would be his 1st career start.

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The Niners have 3 guys competing to start at ILB next to NaVorro Bowman this offseason. DC Jim O'Neil told the San Francisco Chronicle that Gerald Hodges, Michael Wilhoite and Ray-Ray Armstrong will get equal time with the 1st unit in OTAs. Wilhoite started the 1st 12 games last season before getting hurt, and then Hodges stepped in for the final 4. Armstrong arrived in November after the Raiders waived him and played only on special teams. We'd bet on Wilhoite or Hodges winning the job, with any guy offering just marginal, spot-starter type IDP value.

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The 49ers announced Wednesday that they have re-signed ILB Michael Wilhoite on a 1-year deal. Wilhoite started all 12 games he was active for in 2015 before a December ankle sprain ended his season. The Niners didn't select any potential replacements in the NFL draft, however, after plugging in Gerald Hodges for the season's final 4 games. Wilhoite looks like the best bet to start inside next to NaVorro Bowman and delivered solid IDP production when starting last year. He'll be worth considering in the LB4 range in deep-ish fantasy football leagues.

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