Referring to Kwon Alexander as a Reuben Foster replacement was never meant as a disservice to the San Francisco 49ers' new linebacker. The energetic defender, after all, has proven this offseason to be his own special type of player. It was always meant to show how important a part of the defense the 49ers envisioned Alexander to be.
Alexander made his on-field 49ers debut on Saturday night. The outing comes after a lengthy rehab from a torn ACL suffered in October of last year. He finished the night with three total tackles in the 49ers' 27-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
"I was just ready whenever they told me I was going to be ready," Alexander told reporters after the game. "When I go out there, I just knew to do my job, help my team, have my team on my side, and whatever I had to do, I had to do."
Alexander has been a full participant in practices since the start of training camp with no signs of a setback from his injury. He has become one of the vocal leaders on defense, using his energy to influence his teammates.
Saturday's matchup at Arrowhead was just another game for him. There was no anxiety about stepping back onto the football field and no concern over that first hit.
"Tackling, it felt great, especially making it, so it was great on the first drive," he added.
In 14 days, Alexander will return to Tampa, Florida, his NFL home of four years before joining the 49ers, to play his former team, the Buccaneers.
"I'm very excited," Alexander said. "I can't wait to go back there, really, just to get the win; just to go out there with all my teammates and just get the win."
Alexander knows it will be hot and humid when he and his new teammates step on the Raymond James Stadium field on September 8.
"We've just got to go out there with our mind right; just go out there focused; just hit and have fun," Alexander continued. "When you have fun, you don't worry about the heat, if it's cold or hot, so just go out there and have fun."
The 49ers have one more preseason game before the start of the regular season — a Thursday night matchup at Levi's Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers.
