Saleh, Browns to talk about head coach job

In the span of one year, Robert Saleh could go from the hot seat to a top seat.

The 49ers’ onceembattled defensive coordinator is a candidate to become the Browns’ next head coach. Cleveland, which fired Freddie Kitchens on Sunday after a 610 season, will interview Saleh this week.

Saleh, 40, has overseen a defense that ranked second in yards allowed (281.8 per game) and eighth in points allowed (19.4) in a 133 season. The 49ers also finished in a tie for fifth in sacks (48) and were sixth in takeaways (27).

The defense had one of its best performances of the season in a 313 win over the Browns in October.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the Browns will interview Saleh in the Bay Area. Shanahan was the Browns offensive coordinator in 2014 and spoke highly of team owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam on Monday.

“I’m pumped for Saleh to get this opportunity,” Shanahan said. “Mr. and Mrs. Haslam are great people. And I think they’re great people to work for. We’ll see how the interview goes for him.”

It’s been quite a 12month turnaround. Last year, the day after the regularseason finale, Shanahan was asked if he would retain Saleh after the 49ers set an NFL record for fewest takeaways in a season (seven) and allowed the fifthmost points in the league (27.2).

The Browns have also requested interviews with Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Injury report: Shanahan said inside linebacker Kwon Alexander, who suffered a torn pectoral on Oct. 31, could play if the 49ers advance to the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 19.

“He’s coming along,” Shanahan said. “There’s definitely going to be a chance. … If we’re fortunate to win our first game, I think he could have a chance after that.”

In other injury news, defensive end Dee Ford (hamstring) and strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) could return for the 49ers’ divisional-playoff game Jan. 11.

“I’m hopeful for it and I am feeling optimistic about it,” Shanahan said. “You never know how these things go with the ribs and the hamstring. But that was the goal. We knew there could be a slight chance this week if we were playing this week (in a wildcard game). So getting this bye week should make it a better chance.”

Cornerback shakeup: A day after cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was benched in the fourth quarter of a 2621 win at Seattle, Shanahan didn’t commit to Witherspoon retaining his starting spot in the divisional playoff game.

Witherspoon was replaced by Emmanuel Moseley on Sunday after surrendering Russell Wilson’s two touchdown passes in the second half.

“I feel good about the decision that I made during the game,” Shanahan said. “Ahkello wasn’t bad by any means.

But Moseley had played at a high level when Ahkello was out (earlier in the season). So I thought Moseley could come in and give us a spark and take a little pressure off Ahkello. EMan was up for the challenge and he came in and did a real good job.”

The 49ers have allowed four touchdown passes in their past two games and Witherspoon has surrendered each of them. A day after the 49ers’ win over the Rams on Dec. 21, Shanahan said he wouldn’t consider benching Witherspoon: “I think he’ll play better next week,” he said.

On Monday, Shanahan said he didn’t know whether Witherspoon or Moseley would start the first playoff game.

“We’ll see how practice goes,” Shanahan said. “But regardless of what happens, we’ve got two guys that can both help us win.”