San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters before Tuesday's practice. The team is preparing to host the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium for the NFC Divisional Round playoff game. It could have one of its key defensive components back on the football field.
Shanahan informed reporters that Alexander has been cleared by the 49ers medical staff to play. Now, it is a coaching decision whether or not the star linebacker plays this weekend, and there is a "good chance" he will be activated before Saturday.
Alexander suffered a torn pectoral muscle on October 31, 2019, against the Arizona Cardinals, and was placed on injured reserve five days later. The 49ers opened the practice window for the linebacker last week.
"I was just told long ago that maybe there was an outside chance he could be ready for the championship game, so that's what I've gone with, in my mind," Shanahan told reporters. "Kwon's been trying to get back since the day after he was hurt. So he's been trying to prove us wrong on that, and he's more ahead of schedule than we anticipated.
"He's been cleared by the medical staff, and now it's just how he looks out on the field and things like that. We'll have a padded practice tomorrow, which I hope will give us a little bit better idea."
Shanahan didn't want to reveal much more than that. He didn't state how much Alexander might play, if activated. Nor did he specify at which linebacker position he might line up.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported over the weekend that Alexander was "on track" to play in the 49ers' first playoff game.
"Kwon's a very good linebacker," Shanahan added. "He runs and hits. He's smart in our defense. The energy you guys see him walk around and live his life by is the energy that he brings on the football field too. Our team loves him. We're fired up when he's out there, and he's a good player, also."
Shanahan also noted that he expects to have safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) and veteran pass rusher Dee Ford (hamstring) available on Saturday. That means the 49ers could have their entire defensive starting lineup back for their upcoming Super Bowl run.
Alexander, Ford, Mike Person (neck), and Kentavius Street will be limited on Tuesday. Tartt is "full go" for the 1:00 p.m. PT practice.