49ers notebook: Teammates react to ‘MVP’ Kwon Alexander’s return to practice

There was an emotional jolt sent through the 49ers locker room on Thursday with Kwon Alexander’s return to practice.

The boisterous linebacker was back with his teammates in a blue noncontact jersey for the first time since tearing his left pectoral muscle during the Halloween victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Alexander could be activated off injured reserve in time for the Jan. 11 Divisional Round playoff game following the 49ers’ bye week. Coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday said it’s more likely Alexander would be back in time for the conference title game Jan. 19 should San Francisco win its first postseason contest since 2013.

But if and when Alexander returns, his teammates are expecting a tangible lift.

“He’s probably the MVP of our team. He’s the energy, all the time,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “It’s kind of hard for 16 games, every single day, to bring the passion and have fun with it. If he’s there, we have no choice but to have fun.”

Alexander Thursday said he’s had full range of motion in his left arm and chest area since four weeks after the surgery. He was with his team, left arm in a sling, just days after the procedure and has been a weekly fixture on the sideline during games. His workouts have been ramping up of late, including on the field before Sunday’s regular season finale in Seattle.

“I just love the team, I love the game,” Alexander said. “It’s hard to take me away from the game. It wasn’t my leg. It wasn’t my ACL in my knee, so I’m able to move around. It didn’t hurt that bad after surgery. It was cool. I was able to get around, stay around my teammates, keep them hyped and keep this thing going. That’s what they’ve been doing. They’ve been holding it down so far.”

Teammates and coaches have raved about Alexander’s infectious personality and passion he’s brought to the team since signing a four-year, $54 million contract last spring after beginning his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Of course, when Alexander was asked how he felt in his return to the field, he went with his catch-phrase, “Legendary.”

Alexander has already proven a knack for returning from injury quickly after being fully cleared for the start of training camp just over nine months after tearing his ACL in October 2018.

“I never put a hold on me, so wherever my mind takes me, that’s where I’m going to go,” Alexander said. “... (I) don’t put myself down. A lot of times you go through injuries like that and it’s hard times. But I just stayed up (and) built my teammates up. They’ve been lifting me up.”

Alexander’s replacement was rookie fifth-round pick Dre Greenlaw, who made one of the most important plays of the season with his fourth-down stop of Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister inches short of the goal line during the final minute of Sunday’s dramatic victory.

Greenlaw said Alexander’s mentorship has been important in his transition from rookie reserve to starter on one of the league’s best defenses.

“He’s the emotional leader of our team. He’s the hype guy that gets everybody going,” Greenlaw said. “He was on me pretty good about my assignments, my detail and what to look for and stuff like that. ... He’s like my big bro. He’s always there for me. Whether it’s football or not.”

Alexander said he recently spoke on the phone with Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt, who’s returning to the field this weekend after tearing his pectoral four days before Alexander.

“I’m happy to see him back,” Alexander said. “He’s lifting me up to a little bit, so I appreciate him too.”

Still no Dee Ford as Jaquiski Tartt continues to work back

Defensive end Dee Ford was not on the practice field despite Shanahan earlier this week expressing optimism about his return in time for the playoff game. The 49ers will have another practice Friday and are expected to resume their normal practice schedule next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before Saturday’s match up against the Vikings, Seahawks or Eagles.

In other news, strong safety Jaquiski Tartt was back practicing in a blue noncontact jersey while he continues to recover from a fractured rib that cost him the final three games of the season. Tartt initially returned to practice last week before missing the finale against the Seahawks.

The 49ers might have telegraphed his status for the upcoming game by releasing safety Antone Exum Jr. to clear room for the re-signing of nose tackle Earl Mitchell.

Safety Jimmie Ward, who exited in Seattle during the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, didn’t appear hindered at practice. Nor did receiver Deebo Samuel, who practiced in a noncontact jersey throughout last month while dealing with a shoulder injury.

Robbie Gould honored

49ers kicker Robbie Gould was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for December.

Gould made 10 of 11 field goals during five games and hit a pair of game-winning kicks as time expired against the Saints and Rams.

Gould missed three games with a quadriceps injury in November and appears to be finding his rhythm after struggling early in the season. He made just 13 of 20 before his return Dec. 1 in Baltimore.

This story was originally published January 2, 2020 at 4:32 PM.