Robert Saleh confirms Eric Reid has moved to linebacker

We’re at the point where we can say that Eric Reid is definitely switching from strong safety to weakside linebacker. Against the Dallas Cowboys, Reid was moved to linebacker when the team ran the nickel formation, but he will see action there in the base defense, according to San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Saleh confirmed that Reid is essentially switched from safety to linebacker, and that he’ll likely play the position in the team’s base defense, replacing Ray-Ray Armstrong. I doubt he does it for 100 percent of snaps, but provided Reid plays well, I expect the transition will continue.

Reid takes meetings with linebackers from here on out, Saleh confirmed on Thursday. This, of course, means Jaquiski Tartt is now your starting strong safety.

Following the Cowboys game, where I thought Reid struggled at linebacker, Kyle Shanahan said that it was all in an effort to have his best 11 players on the field. Armstrong is not one of those players, and never has been, so I’m glad to at least see the 49ers aren’t being complacent.

Reid said “Let’s do it,” when prompted with the position change, according to Saleh.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I thought Reid looked a little passive at linebacker against the Cowboys, but maybe with another week of planning, he takes to the position. If he plays well enough, he could earn a contract extension, but if he doesn’t shine, I imagine his time with the 49ers is up.