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Erin Henderson | Linebacker

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age / DOB:  (26) / 7/1/1986
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 244
College: Maryland
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Vikings LB Erin Henderson is taking all the first-team reps at middle linebacker.
Coach Leslie Frazier had declared an open three-man competition at middle linebacker among Henderson, Audie Cole and Michael Mauti. However, it appears it's Henderson's job to lose. Henderson has played weak-side linebacker and special teams throughout his five-year career. May 29 - 2:24 PM
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Erin Henderson has bulked up to 248 pounds in anticipation of his move to middle linebacker.

Henderson has been a special teamer and weak-side linebacker throughout his five-year career. He's now penciled in as the starter in the middle after Jasper Brinkley signed with the Cardinals. If Henderson sticks in the middle, look for fourth-round rookie Gerald Hodges to take a crack at the starting WILL job.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
May 1 - 9:42 AM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

GM Rick Spielman considers WLB Erin Henderson a possibility for the Vikings' opening at middle linebacker.

"That depends on what happens in the draft," Spielman said. "If we go outside, Erin can slide inside or if we go inside Erin can play outside. That's what is great about this linebacker thing. We have the flexibility to go either way." It's the second straight offseason Henderson has been bandied about as a potential MIKE 'backer, but like 2012, he should end up remaining on the weak-side. With the No. 23 and 25 picks, the Vikings are a strong candidate to come away with an inside linebacker on Thursday.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Apr 23 - 5:13 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Vikings re-signed WLB Erin Henderson to a two-year contract.

Henderson recorded a career-high 80 tackles and three sacks in 14 games with the Vikings last season. He's also a fine run defender. Minnesota wanted to bring back at least one of Henderson or Jasper Brinkley. It might be wise to move on from Brinkley now and address the middle linebacker spot elsewhere.
Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter
Mar 12 - 9:06 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune suspects impending free agent WLB Erin Henderson may not want to return to the Vikings in 2013.

The Star-Tribune points out that Henderson, 26, wasn't happy with the organization last offseason when he didn't get a long-term deal. Minnesota might have to overpay to keep him. Henderson excels against the run, but he struggles badly in coverage. MLB Jasper Brinkley is also an impending free agent.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Jan 19 - 2:32 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Vikings WLB Erin Henderson (concussion) will return to the starting lineup in Week 5 against the Titans.

It's bad news for Tennessee's run game because Henderson is a stout run defender. He'll be a two-down player against the Titans, exiting in favor of MLB Jasper Brinkley in nickel packages. Henderson won't be an IDP asset.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Fri, Oct 5, 2012 01:50:00 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Coach Leslie Frazier is "optimistic" that WLB Erin Henderson (concussion) will play versus the Titans this week.

Henderson finished a full practice Thursday for the first time since sustaining the concussion on Sept. 16. Even if Henderson does play this week, pleasant surprise Jasper Brinkley will remain in Henderson's role in the middle of the nickel defense.
Related: Jasper Brinkley
Source: vikings.com
Fri, Oct 5, 2012 10:48:00 AM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Vikings WLB Erin Henderson still has not been cleared to return from his Week 2 concussion.

He's week to week and has missed the last two games, with Marvin Mitchell filling in. Although Henderson is a proficient run defender, Minnesota's run defense has held up fine. It limited Mikel Leshoure to 26 yards on 13 carries on Sunday. Leshoure's long run went for 14, and he fumbled at the end of it.
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Mon, Oct 1, 2012 01:43:00 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Vikings WLB Erin Henderson (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 4.

Henderson has missed six consecutive practices since sustaining a concussion in Week 2. The Vikings are wisely proceeding with caution after Henderson was unable to pass the NFL's concussion protocol on Friday. Marvin Mitchell will likely start again at WLB, with Jasper Brinkley getting the nickel snaps. Brinkley was uninspiring last week, so IDP owners should look elsewhere for a bye week plug-and-play.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 11:21:00 AM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

The Vikings have ruled out WLB Erin Henderson (concussion) for Sunday's contest against the 49ers.

With Henderson officially out, the Vikings will turn to Marvin Mitchell to start at WLB. It's expected that Jasper Brinkley will get the nickel snaps along with Chad Greenway. Brinkley makes for a sneaky IDP start in the juicy matchup against the fantasy friendly 49ers.
Related: Marvin Mitchell, Jasper Brinkley
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Sat, Sep 22, 2012 12:29:00 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Vikings WLB Erin Henderson (concussion) was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice.

Henderson left Sunday's loss in the fourth quarter, but quickly returned to action. His status for this weekend's game against the 49ers is now up in the air. If Henderson doesn't play, Marvin Mitchell would replace him in the Vikings' base packages at WLB, and MLB Jasper Brinkley would then stay on the field in the nickel packages.
Related: Marvin Mitchell
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Wed, Sep 19, 2012 04:57:00 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities suggests WLB Erin Henderson would move to middle linebacker full time if MLB Jasper Brinkley's durability became an issue again.

Brinkley missed all of last season due to hip surgery, and then a large chunk of spring practices with related problems. Beat writer Tom Pelissero already expects Henderson to replace Brinkley in all nickel looks, kicking to "Mike" on passing downs. Henderson has some sleeper appeal in 2012 IDP leagues.
Related: Jasper Brinkley
Source: 1500 ESPN Twin Cities
Sun, Jul 22, 2012 02:40:00 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Vikings re-signed WLB Erin Henderson.

Henderson, who's only 25, is a favorite of the website Pro Football Focus for his run-stopping ability. While Henderson came off the field on passing downs all last season, he may emerge as an every-down linebacker with free agent MLB E.J. Henderson, Erin's older brother, likely on the outs this year.
Fri, Mar 23, 2012 03:41:00 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

Free agent WLB Erin Henderson says the Vikings have yet to make him an offer.

"Whats crazy is I'm not even asking for big money," Henderson said. "All I want is respectable money for what I'm asked to do." Two NFL sources have told 1500 ESPN Twin Cities the Vikings have "made clear" they want to re-sign Henderson, but they're apparently waiting for his price to go down. According to Henderson, it won't. "I've watched every single one of my games from last (year) 10 (times) over. I know what I'm worth."
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Sat, Mar 17, 2012 03:55:00 PM
Erin Henderson - LB - Vikings

The Vikings do not have a standing offer out to free agent WLB Erin Henderson.

The two sides are reportedly at odds over the length of a potential deal. GM Rick Spielman hinted that the team will let Henderson establish the market on his own before submitting an offer.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 08:39:00 PM

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