Linebacker Alexander back at practice
Defense welcomes linebacker back after Oct. 31 pectoral tear; DE Ford remains out
SANTA CLARA >> Linebacker Kwon Alexander’s return to practice Thursday, after two months away, had the desired and emotional charge you’d expect from the 49ers’ “hype guy.”
“Just him being on the field, his knowledge of the game, his enthusiasm — he’s probably one of the most valuable people in our organization,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “That’s why they brought him here, that’s why they paid him.”
Alexander, out since an Oct.
31 pectoral tear, looks capable of suiting up for the playoff opener in a Jan. 11 divisional-round game, although coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Monday that the ensuing NFC Championship Game is a more likely target for Alexander.
“Whatever coach tells me, I’m going to be ready for whatever sit
uation it is, and I’ll be prepared if it is,” Alexander said.
Alexander started at weak-side linebacker the first eight games, and, after the injury, he’s remained a constant presence in the locker room, on road trips and even in pre-practice stretching. Simply, he’s been a busy body.
For one, he’s sought advice from Houston Texans star J.J. Watt about his own comeback from a pectoral tear. Said Alexander: “I can’t wait to see him play Saturday. He lifted me up a little bit so I appreciate him.”
As a side gig, Alexander personally has sold “way, way past a 1,000” sweatshirts and T-shirts emblazoned with the linebacker corps’ “Hot Boyzz” nickname. Teammates, office staff and fans everywhere
sought his merchandise before it sold out. “I’m going to make some new ones for the playoffs, by the end of the day or tomorrow, if I can hurry up and get them out,” Alexander said.
“He’s the emotional leader of our team. He’s the hype guy that gets everybody going,” said Dre Greenlaw, Alexander’s replacement. “We definitely missed that. Having him back out there, you could just tell by practice today, how much fun and energy we had.”
Alexander’s love for playing football rather than hawking shirts is what drove him back Thursday in a blue, no-contact jersey. He lined up next to leading tackler Fred Warner for linebacker warmups and looked smooth responding to the instructions of assistants DeMeco Ryans and Johnny Holland.
Alexander, acquired in free agency, produced key takeaways (interception at
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander participates in a practice on Thursday in Santa Clara.
Cincinnati, forced fumble at Washington) before getting hurt in the Halloween victory at Arizona. He regained full-range of motion within a month of surgery and isn’t thinking about the risks of a speedy comeback.
By opening Alexander’s three-week evaluation window Thursday, the 49ers must decide on his roster spot before leaving on a potential
trip Jan. 26 to Miami for the Super Bowl, if they advance that far.
If Alexander indeed becomes the 49ers’ second and final candidate to come off injured reserve, the 49ers likely would use a linebacker combination of Greenlaw and Alexander with Warner, pushing rookie Azeez Al-Shaair to the bench.
Greenlaw saved Sunday night’s 26-21 win at Seattle with a goal-line tackle in the final seconds. His heroic status hasn’t gone to his head. “I don’t know, I’m just a rookie. I don’t even know really what I did,” Greenlaw said. “I’m just playing a football game, that’s it. I tried to stay away from my phone so I didn’t look at (congratulatory messages) too much. Didn’t want to (get distracted) by what’s coming up.”
DEE FORD’S COMEBACK >> The status of defensive end Dee Ford is more of a mystery. The edge rusher has missed most of the past two months with a hamstring strain. He was not seen rehabilitating during Thursday’s 30-minute media access, but he later entered the locker room in workout attire after apparently doing individual conditioning.
Without Ford, the 49ers’ pass rush has struggled to rack up sacks and close out games, and their edge-rushing options outside of Nick
Bosa and Arik Armstead are Solomon Thomas and Anthony Zetter.
LINEUP CHANGES? >> Strong safety Jaquiski Tartt practiced with a no-contact jersey, as he did last week, in what sets up as a playoff return from his Dec. 1 rib fracture. Marcell Harris has started the past four games at strong safety and arguably had his best outing last game.
Ahkello Witherspoon lined up with Richard Sherman to lead cornerback drills and apparently remains the starting right cornerback, although that job likely will be closely evaluated leading into the playoffs. Witherspoon got benched before the 49ers defense’s final series in Seattle, replaced by Emmanuel Moseley.
Daniel Brunskill started the final two games at right guard while Mike Person coped with a months-long neck issue, and that could remain the case going into the playoffs.