49ers activate Kwon Alexander for Saturday’s NFC playoff game with Vikings

The 49ers made linebacker Kwon Alexander’s addition back to the active roster official Friday, giving the team an emotional boost heading into its playoff game Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.

Alexander went on injured reserve and had surgery to repair a torn left pectoral following the Oct. 31 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The animated ringleader of San Francisco’s imposing defense returned to the practice field last week and was a limited participant in three practices this week while wearing a blue noncontact jersey.

Teammate Nick Bosa said Alexander is “probably the MVP of our team. He’s the energy, all the time. 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.”

Kyle Shanahan said after the regular season finale that Alexander was most likely going to return to the NFC title game, should the 49ers get that far. But his return came a week sooner than initially expected.

“Kwon has been trying to get back since the day after he was hurt,” Shanahan said. “He’s been trying to prove us wrong on that. He’s more ahead of schedule, a week ahead of schedule than we anticipated. He’s been cleared by the medical staff.”

Said Alexander, who also returned from a torn ACL faster than expected over the summer: “I never put a hold on me, so wherever my mind takes me, that’s where I’m going to go. That’s what’s going on.”

What Alexander’s role will be Saturday remains unclear. Coaches indicated this week that rookie Dre Greenlaw, who filled in at Alexander’s “Will” linebacker role, will remain in the fold.

Greenlaw before Alexander’s injury played on the strong side in three-linebacker sets before moving to the weak side after Alexander went down. It could be the team returns to that look in base situations, which they should use plenty against Minnesota’s run-heavy offense, and let Greenlaw play weak side linebacker in three-receiver sets.

The 49ers placed defensive lineman Kentavius Street back on injured reserve to make room for Alexander on the active roster. Street began the season on IR after having complications in his return from an ACL tear sustained before the 2018 NFL draft. Street appeared in 38 snaps over three games and was credited with four tackles. Street was listed as questionable to play Saturday after receiving treatment for a knee injury.

This story was originally published January 10, 2020 at 1:42 PM.