58 Kwon Alexander OLB

Alexander (Achilles) was placed on injured reserve Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

The 2017 Pro Bowler suffered a torn Achilles during the Saints' Christmas Day triumph over the Vikings, rendering his shift to IR an unsurprising one. Despite New Orleans having clinched its fourth consecutive NFC South crown and guaranteed itself an extended season by way of a playoff appearance, the severity of Alexander's injury ensures the 26-year-old will be unable to take the field for the rest of 2020.

Alexander suffered a torn Achilles' tendon during Friday's win over the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Alexander was feared to have suffered an Achilles injury after he was carted to the locker room in the third quarter Sunday, and he'll officially miss the remainder of the season. The 26-year-old will now face another lengthy recovery process heading into the offseason after finishing the 2020 campaign with 54 tackles (36 solo), including one sack, along with two forced fumbles. Zack Baun could see increased work for the Saints with Alexander sidelined.

The Saints fear Alexander suffered an Achilles injury during Friday's win over the Vikings, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Alexander was carted off to the locker room after a Minnesota touchdown at the end of the third quarter. He's had terrible injury luck in recent years, including a torn ACL in 2018 and a torn pectoral in 2019.

Alexander was carted to the locker room after injuring his foot or ankle in the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Vikings, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Alexander was injured at the very end of the third quarter, finishing his afternoon with three tackles. The Saints can turn to Alex Anzalone, Craig Robertson or Zack Baun next to Demario Davis at linebacker.

Alexander totaled seven tackles (four solo) in the Saints' 24-21 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.

It was his highest tackle total since Week 4, and Alexander tied for team lead in that department. He'll look to build on this performance against Kansas City in Week 15.

Alexander was lifted from the commissioner's exempt list Monday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alexander was sent over to the Saints from the 49ers prior to the trade deadline, but he wasn't eligible to play in Week 9 due to COVID protocols. He'll be able to participate in practice with the team and suit up for Week 10 against his old San Francisco teammates now that the roster exemption has been lifted.

The Saints acquired Alexander (ankle) via trade from the 49ers on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 49ers are expected to receive a conditional fifth-round pick and linebacker Kiko Alonso (knee) in return, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Alexander sat out the last two games for the 49ers due to an ankle injury, but the Saints likely believe that won't be an issue moving forward. The 26-year-old should be an immediate starter for the Saints. This wasn't a position of dire need, as the Saints already have one of the best run-stopping defenses in the NFL, allowing an average of 90.6 rushing yards per game (third in the league). Alexander could boost the team's pass coverage, though.

Alexander (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Alexander was considered doubtful for Sunday's contest, so it's no surprise he's sitting for the third straight contest. Azeez Al-Shaair and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles are in line for increased defensive snaps again this week.

Alexander (ankle) is considered doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Seahawks, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alexander's set to miss a third straight game, but his upgrade to limited participation Thursday signals that he could return to action soon. It'll still be a short turnaround for Alexander to be ready for the Week 9 matchup against Green Bay, a Thursday night affair. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Azeez Al-Shaair will both handle some of the reps left behind by Alexander.

Alexander (ankle) was able to log a limited practice session Thursday, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Progression in practice is an encouraging sign for the 26-year-old linebacker, as he sat out Wednesday's practice entirely following back-to-back inactive designations Weeks 6 and 7. Whether Alexander gets in enough work prior to Sunday's matchup against Seattle is yet to be seen. The 49ers will certainly evaluate long-term risk in bringing Alexander back from a high-ankle sprain, but he could certainly be a pivotal piece against Seattle's No. 1 scoring offense if able to go.

Alexander (ankle) didn't participate at Wednesday's practice, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 26-year-old missed the past two games with the high-ankle sprain, and the early outlook for Week 8 doesn't appear much-improved. Alexander will need to progress to some level of practice participation in the next couple days to have a chance of suiting up Sunday in Seattle.

Alexander (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

The 26-year-old will miss his second consecutive game after sustaining the high-ankle sprain Week 5. Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw should dominate the defensive snaps at linebacker in Alexander's absence.

Alexander (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.

Alexander sat out Sunday night's win over the Rams due to his high-ankle sprain, and it seems likely that the severity of his injury will lead to another absence versus New England in Week 7. If Alexander is indeed forced to miss more time, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Azeez Al-Shaair will once again be candidates to handle increased defensive snaps.

Alexander (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Rams, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Given that he was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain Wednesday, it's no surprise that Alexander will sit out of this divisional clash. The 26-year-old linebacker has played nearly every snap this season and piled up 30 tackles and a sack through five games. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Azeez Al-Shaair are the top candidates to start at weak-side linebacker in Alexander's place.

Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Alexander has a high-ankle sprain and added that Alexander won't practice Wednesday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

High-ankle sprains usually require multiweek recoveries, so Alexander should be viewed as questionable at best for Sunday's game against the Rams. It's worth it to monitor Alexander's practice participation this week in case he's able to recover well ahead of schedule, but chances are he'll join the extensive list of notable injured 49ers defenders come Sunday.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that there is a possibility Alexander has suffered a high-ankle sprain, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

A subsequent report by Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area revealed that more specific information is expected to arrive on the matter later this week, but for now, the 49er faithful is left wondering whether the defense has suffered yet another injury setback. Alexander has averaged six tackles per game, with three tackles for loss and one forced fumble through the first five weeks of 2020. He would join defensive stalwarts Nick Bosa (knee-ACL), Richard Sherman (calf), K'Waun Williams (knee-ACL) and Dee Ford (neck) on the inactive list if forced to miss any time because of the injury.

Alexander had nine tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 25-20 loss to Philadelphia.

The 26-year-old notched only a single tackle against the Giants last week, but he bounced back to lead the San Fran defense with nine tackles Sunday. Alexander has 25 tackles (18 solo) and one forced fumble through four games this season.

Alexander tallied nine tackles, including one for a loss, in the team's Week 1 contest against Arizona.

Alexander finished third on the team in tackles, though he wasn't particularly involved early on as his first stop came late in the second quarter. He didn't receive credit for a forced fumble, but he also combined with Nick Bosa on a hit that jarred the ball loose from Chase Edmonds on Arizona's opening driving in the second half. Alexander played a decreased role in the 49ers defense during an injury-riddled 2019 season, though he appears healthy and ready to roll early early on in 2020.

Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Alexander (biceps) will remain the starting weakside linebacker this season, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

There was some early speculation that Dre Greenlaw could overtake the veteran following a standout rookie campaign, but Shanahan put those rumors to rest after the team's first padded practice Monday. Alexander had a disappointing start to his first year in red and gold, finishing with 34 tackles (22 solo), a forced fumble and an interception in eight regular season starts. He did return for San Francisco's playoff push, but was behind Greenlaw on the depth chart likely due to health concerns. The 25-year-old will look to get back to his triple-digit tackle potential as a full-time starter if he can stay healthy in 2020.

Alexander had surgery Friday to repair a biceps injury, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Signed to a four-year, $54 million contract last offseason, Alexander suffered a torn pectoral in late October but made it back on the field for the playoffs. He reportedly played through a biceps injury in the Super Bowl, finishing without a tackle despite playing 70 percent of defensive snaps. Alexander will turn 26 in August and should have time to get healthy before Week 1.