58 Kwon Alexander MLB

Alexander (knee) passed a physical Thursday, making his four-year, $54 million contract with the 49ers official, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The contract includes $14.25 million fully guaranteed, which makes more sense than the initial figure ($27 million) that was reported. With the 2020 base salary guaranteed for injury only, the Niners actually have an easy path to get out of the deal after one season if Alexander avoids another major injury yet still falls shy of expectations. Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports the 24-year-old linebacker has resumed weightlifting and jogging, but he'll still need at least three or four more months to make a full recovery from the ACL tear he suffered Oct. 21. The 2015 fourth-round pick averaged 8.3 tackles per game in four seasons with Tampa Bay, adding 22 passes defensed, seven sacks, six interceptions and six forced fumbles in 46 appearances. The 49ers hope Alexander's nose for the ball will make up for his inconsistencies with tackling and pass coverage.

Alexander (knee) is in line to sign a four-year $54 million deal with the 49ers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Alexander's deal will reportedly include $27 million guaranteed. The 24-year-old is bouncing back from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 7 of the 2018 season, but with his rehab progressing, the linebacker should be at or close to 100 percent in advance of the 49ers' regular-season opener. In 46 NFL games (with Tampa Bay) since being a fourth-rounder in 2015, Alexander logged 380 tackles, a rate of production that has made him a quality fantasy IDP option.

Alexander (knee) is expected to be cleared to begin jogging next week, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

This is another positive signpost in Alexander's recovery from the torn ACL that ended his season in November. Continued progress will only help Alexander's market value as he approaches free agency in March.

Alexander (knee) posted a video on his personal Twitter account Wednesday highlighting his progress as he rehabs from a torn ACL.

Alexander initially tore his ACL during a Week 7 loss to the Browns, and underwent surgery Nov. 14. Barring any setbacks, the star linebacker appears to have a chance of fully recovering for the start of the 2019 season. It remains to be seen whether the Buccaneers will re-sign Alexander, who is set to hit free agency this offseason, coming off a major procedure.

Alexander has undergone successful surgery to repair his torn ACL on and hopes to return at the start of the 2019 campaign, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

Alexander could hit the open market this offseason if he doesn't re-sign with Tampa Bay before March. The fourth-year linebacker will likely come at a slight discount considering he will miss the rest of the year and could miss some of 2019, but plenty of teams will likely inquire about his services in free agency should Alexander elect to go that route.