Kwon Alexander gets the starting nod for Saints vs. 49ers

The New Orleans Saints traded for linebacker Kwon Alexander, who started against his old San Francisco 49ers team after a week of practice.

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New Orleans Saints fans will see a new number in their defense when the black and gold kick off with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday: linebacker No. 58, Kwon Alexander. Acquired in a Nov. 9 trade with the 49ers, Alexander initially spent a week going through COVID-19 testing before practicing with his new teammates during the last week. It didn’t take him long to pick up the playbook.

Reporters on the scene noted that Alexander was warming up with the Saints first-team defense, along with incumbents Demario Davis and rookie Zack Baun. Former starter Alex Anzalone was pushed down to the second unit with backups Craig Robertson and Kaden Elliss, while reserve Chase Hansen was inactive.

How often Alexander will play against his old squad is anyone’s guess, but he practiced fully after missing time in San Francisco with a high-ankle sprain and expressed confidence in his understanding of the playbook. If he can offer them an edge against an offense he knows well, he might be difficult to take off the field.

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