Henderson inactive, no surprises for Vikings

Linebacker Erin Henderson is inactive, as expected, increasing the role for three linebackers below him on the depth chart, including two that are inactive for the first time in their Vikings careers.

The Vikings had no surprises among their inactive players Sunday, keeping LB Erin Henderson out of action after his concussion suffered last Sunday.

As expected Marvin Mitchell will start in Henderson’s absence, but it is also Mitchell’s first active duty for the Vikings after spending the first two weeks recovering from a preseason ankle injury. Jasper Brinkley will take over Henderson’s role in the nickel defense, increasing his snaps from about 50 percent to nearly doubling that. It also means rookie LB Audie Cole will be active for the first time.

Also inactive for the Vikings are DE D’Aundre Reed (calf), QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Jarius Wright, CB Brandon Burton, S Robert Blanton and OL Mark Asper.

For the San Francisco 49ers, WRs A.J. Jenkins and Ted Ginn, Jr. are inactive, as well as RBs LaMichael James and Brandon Jacobs, QB Scott Tolzien, G Joe Looney and NT Ian Williams.

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