The San Francisco 49ers have activated linebacker Kwon Alexander off of injured reserve ahead of the team's Divisional Round playoff game on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings. To make roster room, the team has placed defensive lineman Kentavius Street on injured reserve.
Alexander suffered a torn pectoral muscle on October 31, 2019, against the Arizona Cardinals, and was placed on injured reserve five days later. It was assumed the linebacker would require around six months of recovery before he could return to the football (or practice) field.
The 49ers opened up the practice window for Alexander last week, just over two months after the injury.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan and company initially thought there might be a chance that the linebacker could return for the NFC Championship Game. He was medically cleared this 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 on Tuesday. "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."
Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reported this week that Alexander would wear a shoulder harness, as Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt did when he returned this past weekend from a similar injury. The hope is the added protection will help avoid re-injury.
"I'm trying everything possible to keep it intact," Alexander told Branch. "I want to be able to go out there and play comfortable and play fast. And I think that will help me do that."
Alexander, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the 49ers on March 11, 2019, finished the regular season with 34 combined tackles, 0.5 sacks, four passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble through eight starts before the injury.
"I was (initially) told I wasn't going to be to play (this season), period," Alexander added. "My mindset was to beat the timeline, and I give all praise to the Lord. He's the one helping and guiding me.
"I've never been to the playoffs. This is my first time. Whatever opportunity I get is a blessing."
Street was activated to the active roster from injured reserve on December 14, 2019, appeared in three games, and tallied four tackles.