Chip Kelly said the San Francisco 49ers will consider some changes at the inside linebacker position in Week 7, following a game in which Nick Bellore and Michael Wilhoite were abysmal. It will not clean up the run defense problems, but any kind of change is necessary.
One option might be taking a look at an ex-49er.
Suspension over. Reinstatement official. I'm just ready to play some damn football now
— Nick Moody (@nickmoody53) October 10, 2016
Nick Moody was given a four-game suspension this offseason violating one of the NFL’s drug policies. This article said it was a violation of the substance abuse policy, but this tweet would suggest it was actually the policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
I took an over the counter medication that had a stimulant and I should have been more careful. That was a big mistake which I deeply regret
— Nick Moody (@nickmoody53) March 17, 2016
Whatever the case, he is a free agent, and eligible to play. The 49ers inside linebackers are not particularly good. We can expect to see more of Gerald Hodges and/or Shayne Skov this weekend. I can’t imagine them being any worse than Wilhoite and/or Bellore, but I suppose we shouldn’t make that assumption.
Whatever the case, change is needed. The 49ers released Moody last year as part of final roster cuts. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad at the close of Week 1, and was promoted to the active roster in October. He was placed on injured reserve in late November. He is best suited as a special teams player, but there could be some value in a flier on him. It might make more sense long-term to sign a younger player, but if the 49ers think they can return to competitive form this season, Moody wouldn’t exactly be the worst addition.