LB Wilhoite signs one-year deal to stay with 49ers
Niners inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite, a restricted free agent, has signed his one-year qualifying offer from the team and will aim to assume a starting role for the third straight season.
Wilhoite, 29, had 85 tackles and one interception in 12 starts last year before he was sidelined with a season-ending ankle injury.
In 2014, when Bowman was sidelined with a knee injury, Wilhoite replaced him and had 87 tackles and two interceptions.
In October, the 49ers traded a sixth-round pick and center Nick Easton to the Vikings for Hodges, who had 39 tackles in four starts after Wilhoite was injured.
The 49ers did not select an inside linebacker any of their 11 draft picks.