Alexander taking over in middle?

Bucs rookie LB Kwon Alexander lined up at MLB with the 1st team in Monday's practice, in place of free-agent addition Bruce Carter. That came after HC Lovie Smith praised the rookie for his performance in the preseason opener vs. Minnesota. “We knew about the athletic ability, but the thing that’s impressed us from the day we got Kwon is his smarts,’’ DC Leslie Frazier told the Tampa Tribune. “He works so hard in the classroom and he’s able to bring it out to the field.’’ Don't be surprised if this sticks. Carter disappointed repeatedly as an OLB in Dallas, so we never believed in him as Tampa's answer in the middle. We'll see if Alexander can prove to be a 3-down player. Strong-side starter Danny Lansanah -- who played well in the middle, including coverage, when Mason Foster got hurt last year -- continues to look like a good bet for full-time duty. Both will be interesting to watch for your IDP league.

The Saints on Monday added LB Kwon Alexander to the COVID list. That leaves New Orleans' defense without its top 2 LBs, as Demario Davis landed on the list on Dec. 24. Rookie Pete Werner figures to be the playing time leader at the position against the Dolphins tonight in their absence.

The Saints have released LB Kwon Alexander. It's not a surprising move. The veteran was set to make $13.2 million and $13.5 million in the final 2 years on his contract and suffered an Achilles' tendon tear in Week 16. We'll see whether he's ready to play for anyone in 2021.

ESPN's Mike Triplett reports that the Saints plan to release LB Kwon Alexander. The veteran was set to make $13.4 million in 2021 and tore his right Achilles' tendon in Week 16. So this move comes as no surprise. We'll see if he can make it back to the field in a significant role for any team in the coming season. Long-term, there's still time for the 26-year-old to round back into form. He remains stashable if your IDP dynasty league is deep enough. Alexander's release plus Trey Hendrickson's impending free agency should help New Orleans find snaps for Zack Baun in his 2nd season.

Saints LB Kwon Alexander tore the Achilles' tendon in his right leg in Friday's win over the Vikings. That obviously ends his season, and the late-December timing figures to threaten his start to 2021. The final 2 years remaining on his contract look expensive and cuttable. So we'll see what the offseason holds for this 26-year-old, whom the Saints acquired via trade in November. LB Alex Anzalone replaced Alexander against Minnesota and figures to return to the starting lineup the rest of the way.

The 49ers are trading LB Kwon Alexander to the Saints for LB Kiko Alonso and a conditional 5th-round pick, according to multiple reports. Alexander has missed the past 2 games with a high-ankle sprain but should be back soon. San Francisco HC Kyle Shanahan said originally that the team believed it to be a "minor" sprain. Alexander should join Demario Davis in playing full-time snaps, likely sapping playing time from LB Alex Anzalone. We'll keep an eye on Alexander to see when he'll officially jump into the lineup. A healthy Alexander enhances the upside of the New Orleans team defense. The Niners, meanwhile, can now keep LB Dre Greenlaw in his full-time role alongside Fred Warner. He has seen increased playing time with Alexander out.