HEADLINES

Kwon Alexander

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/26/24

December 26th, 2024 at 8:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Reverted to season-ending IR (practice window expired): CB Elijah Jones

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Harris’ second season with the Browns saw him play a key role with 13 starts and a 59% snap share on defense. The 33-year-old remained consistent against the run (37 tackles) while chipping in as a pass rusher (1.5 sacks), but his campaign is now over as he deals with an elbow injury. One year remains on Harris’ contract, although none of his scheduled $1.26MM base salary is guaranteed.

Alexander joined the Lions late last month as part of the team’s bid to add healthy options at the linebacker spot. He made a pair of appearances with Detroit prior to today’s move, one which may not mark the end of his time with the team. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Lions hope to be able to sign Alexander, 30, to their practice squad provided he clears waivers. Teams will be able to put in a claim until tomorrow afternoon, by which point he will become a free agent if no interested parties emerge.

Zuerlein has been on injured reserve since the end of October, spurring the Jets to turn to other kicking options. If the veteran is activated in the near future, he will be able to make a late-season return in 2024, his third campaign with the Jets. Failing that, New York will still have Anders Carlson and recent practice squad addition Greg Joseph in place at the position.

Lions To Sign LB Kwon Alexander Off Broncos’ Practice Squad

November 29th, 2024 at 1:01pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of Malcolm Rodriguez‘s ACL tear, the Lions are in need of linebacker reinforcements. One is incoming by way of the Broncos’ practice squad.

Kwon Alexander is set to head to Detroit, per his agents (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). Alexander saw his 2023 season come to an end with an Achilles tear, the second of his career. Interest was still present once he was healthy, and in the end the 30-year-old took a deal with the Broncos in September after working out for other suitors.

Of course, that agreement allowed Alexander to reunite with Sean Payton as many former Saints have over the past two years. He has made three appearances so far in 2024, registering eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Rather than remaining in the Mile High City and awaiting the chance to sign to Denver’s active roster, though, Alexander has received the opportunity to do so with the Lions.

Detroit’s LB corps has been ravaged by injury this season, and Rodriguez will not return in 2024. Jalen Reeves-Maybin is on injured reserve, and the same is also true of Derrick Barnes; the latter will likely not be able to suit up unless a deep playoff run is made. Alex Anzalone, meanwhile, is recovering from a broken forearm and he will miss at least the next few games as the Lions look to remain atop the NFC.

Alexander has spent time with six teams in his career, logging 90 starts in 107 games. That experience will be welcomed on a Lions team lacking in healthy veterans in the front seven down the stretch. After playing only 65 defensive snaps during his time with the Broncos, the former Pro Bowler could be in line for a notable role relatively soon on his latest team.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/2/24

November 2nd, 2024 at 7:30pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor NFL moves including standard gameday practice squad elevations for Sunday’s slate of games:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/26/24

October 26th, 2024 at 6:24pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturdays minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/24

October 17th, 2024 at 6:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

Thursday’s minor moves:

Denver Broncos 

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Watson could be claimed off waivers by any teams seeking backfield depth. If that does not take place, though, he will become a free agent. Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports a mutual interest exists for team and player to reunite via a practice squad deal provided it is possible. Watson, an undrafted rookie, has made only one appearance to date so he should have a strong chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.

Broncos To Add LB Kwon Alexander

September 25th, 2024 at 8:54am CST by Sam Robinson

Familiarity with Sean Payton continues to land certain players gigs in Denver, as a handful of ex-Saints assistants are also on the second-year HC’s staff. Add Kwon Alexander to the Saints-to-Broncos pipeline.

The veteran linebacker worked out for the team, per 9News’ Mike Klis, and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes the club is making a practice squad addition. Alexander will join the Broncos at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, where they are practicing in preparation for their Week 4 game against the Jets.

Coming back from the second Achilles tear of his NFL career, Alexander had previously auditioned for the Falcons and Vikings. The Broncos saw enough to greenlight this reunion. Alexander will join a Broncos team that already houses seven ex-Saints — Adam Trautman, Wil Lutz, Malcolm Roach, Calvin Throckmorton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Lucas Krull and Jordan Jackson — on its active roster.

Alexander spent 2022 with the Jets and 2023 with the Steelers but was dealt from the 49ers to the Saints in 2020 and played all of the 2021 season — Payton’s New Orleans finale — with the NFC South team. Alexander, 30, started 15 games with the Saints under Payton. He aided a division champion in 2020 and recorded 3.5 sacks, despite operating primarily as an off-ball LB, in 2021

While the Broncos’ ILBs coach (Greg Manusky) was not in New Orleans during that time, ex-ILB Michael Wilhoite — Denver’s OLBs coach — was on Payton’s staff during Alexander’s tenure. Alexander also recovered a fumble against the Broncos during a 2020 matchup best remembered for the AFC West team having no active QBs due to COVID-19.

Formerly a standout Buccaneers ‘backer who earned a lucrative 49ers free agency deal in 2019 despite coming off an ACL tear, Alexander saw his first Saints season end due to an Achilles tear and sustained the same injury — albeit to his other Achilles — in November of last year. The Saints still re-signed the talented defender in August 2021. Alexander has played effectively in spurts. He started 12 games for a top-five Jets defense in 2022. Last season, Pro Football Focus graded the nine-year vet as a plus coverage ILB. Though, the Broncos will surely want to see how he looks in practices given the extensive injury history here.

Denver signed Cody Barton to start alongside Alex Singleton this offseason, letting Josey Jewell defect to the Panthers. Jonas Griffith had competed with Barton for that gig but did not make the team, suffering another major injury. Justin Strnad and Kristian Welch are in place as Denver’s second-string ILBs. Alexander will surely have a chance to move up to the 53-man roster soon.

Vikings Audition LB Kwon Alexander

September 18th, 2024 at 10:19am CST by Sam Robinson

Injuries have become a consistent problem for Kwon Alexander, who has done well to find opportunities despite a host of setbacks. The veteran linebacker is attempting another comeback, this time from an Achilles tear that ended his season with the Steelers.

The Falcons brought in Alexander for a recent workout, and NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero indicates the Vikings did the same. Alexander has now been with five NFL teams, most recently the Steelers in 2023, during a nine-year career. He landed gigs in late July — with the Jets and Steelers — over the past two years, but thanks to the Achilles injury suffered in November, that timetable understandably changed in 2024.

Alexander, 30, played in nine Pittsburgh games last season while making two starts before going down in a Packers matchup November 12. Alexander has continually made it back from injury issues. This dates back to a 2018 ACL tear while with the Buccaneers. Alexander then sustained a torn pec during his first season on a lucrative 49ers contract. Last year’s Achilles tear also was not Alexander’s first as a pro, with the veteran defender going down with the same injury late in the 2020 season while with the Saints.

Considering Alexander’s age and injury past, it is impressive he has continued to resurface. Last season, the former Bucs standout made 41 tackles (five for loss) and intercepted a pass for a Steelers team that encountered health issues at linebacker. Alexander started 12 games for Robert Saleh‘s top-five defense in 2022, and while he played 17 games, the former fourth-round pick was a part-time player (49% usage rate) alongside standouts C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams.

For his career, Alexander has made 88 starts. The Vikings did work on their defensive second level this offseason, adding Minneapolis-area native Blake Cashman in free agency and hybrid player Andrew Van Ginkel. The team won bidding wars for both. Minnesota has also seen Ivan Pace go from 2023 UDFA to starter at the position. Kamu Grugier-Hill and 2022 third-rounder Brian Asamoah are in place behind Cashman and Pace, though neither has played a defensive snap thus far this season.

If healthy, Alexander would provide second-level depth to a team. But he is certainly running out of chances due to the growing list of setbacks sustained during a lengthy career.

Falcons Host LBs Kwon Alexander, Rashaan Evans, Josh Woods

September 13th, 2024 at 5:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

In search of veteran linebacker depth, the Falcons hosted three veterans at the position on Friday. Kwon Alexander, Rashaan Evans and Josh Woods visited the team, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes.

Atlanta has Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen in place atop the depth chart at the position, but the team is thin on experienced options beyond those two. Former UDFA Milo Eifler was waived/injured during roster cutdowns, while Nate Landman has been limited during practice this week. His absence would create the need for at least a rotational option on defense along with a special teams contributor.

Alexander is familiar with the NFC South, having spent time with the Buccaneers and Saints. He also played for the 49ers and Jets prior to his Steelers contract signed last season. The 30-year-old made nine appearances and two starts in Pittsburgh before an Achilles tear ended his campaign. Alexander has not been connected to any suitors since, but news of his visit is a strong sign he is now healthy.

Evans served as a full-time starter in 2022 with the Falcons after a four-year run in Tennessee. The former first-rounder made a career-high 159 tackles during his Atlanta campaign, but his usage saw a notable drop last year with the Cowboys. Evans, 28, was let go by Dallas in late December after an arrest for marijuana possession. He could step back into a notable role upon returning to the Falcons, though.

With 66 combined regular and postseason appearances, Woods is the least experienced member of the trio. He has made only eight starts at the NFL level, but seven of those came last year with the Cardinals. The 28-year-old’s 61 tackles in 2023 were by far the most of his career after he primarily handled special teams duties with the Bears and Lions.

The Falcons have fifth-round rookie JD Bertrand in place as an option after he played 23 special teams snaps in Week 1. If a more experienced linebacker is targeted, though, it would come as no surprise if one of the three players hosted on Friday were to land a deal. Atlanta currently has roughly $10.8MM in cap space.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/23

November 14th, 2023 at 8:12pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Following a spree of illegal hits, Kareem Jackson was hit with a four-game ban back in October. That suspension ended up getting knocked down to two games, and following that absence, the defensive back has returned to the active roster. While Justin Simmons has long resided as the Broncos’ top safety, Pro Football Focus has graded Jackson as a top-20 player at the position this season.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai suffered a back injury that will require a stint on injured reserve, although there’s a chance the veteran lineman ends up having to miss the rest of the season. After starting all 25 of his appearances for the Lions between 2020 and 2021, Vaitai has started three of his six games in 2022.

Hunter Long was a third-round pick by the Dolphins in 2021 but only lasted two seasons in Miami, hauling in a single eight-yard catch. He was part of the Rams’ offseason trade return for Jalen Ramsey but hasn’t appeared in a game this season. The tight end landed on IR in early September with a thigh injury.

Steelers LB Kwon Alexander Suffers Torn Achilles

November 12th, 2023 at 5:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Steelers earned a close victory in Week 10, but it came at the expense of another significant injury on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Kwon Alexander suffered a torn Achilles on Sunday, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

As a result of the injury, Alexander will be out for the remainder of the season. That news is especially significant given the fact fellow linebacker Cole Holcomb suffered a knee injury in Week 9 which required season-ending surgery. The pair comprised two-thirds of Pittsburgh’s three-man rotation at the LB spot, so their absences will be acutely felt for the second half of the campaign.

One of several new faces in the Steelers’ front seven, Alexander signed a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum in late July. That pact didn’t come with any guarantees with respect to playing time, but the 29-year-old provided at least an experienced depth option. Alexander had logged a 61% snap share heading into Week 10, a figure much higher than last year’s during his time with the Jets and one which was in line to increase with Holcomb no longer in the fold.

With Alexander out for the remainder of the year, Pittsburgh will be forced to turn elsewhere at their second inside linebacker spot. Currently, with Holcomb and Chapelle Russell on IR, and Alexander soon to join them, last year’s seventh-round pick out of Ole Miss, Mark Robinson, is the only inside backer on the active roster left to line up next to Elandon Roberts. Robinson spent most of his rookie season inactive before starting the final two games of the year. So far in his sophomore campaign, Robinson has played in every contest, mostly on special teams.

The only other player in the building designated as an inside linebacker on the team’s depth chart is former Packers seventh-round safety Tariq Carpenter. Pittsburgh signed Carpenter to their practice squad when he failed to make Green Bay’s 53-man roster in August and converted him to inside backer. He appeared in 14 games as a rookie last year, playing almost exclusively on special teams.

With so many injuries at linebacker, the Steelers will certainly be pressed to do something. One solution may be converting another safety or an outside linebacker to fill in at the position. Otherwise, Pittsburgh will likely be combing the free agent options for some possible depth or experience to supplement their current beleaguered group.

Contributions provided by Ely Allen

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