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Kiko Alonso, the linebacker the 49ers acquired in the deal that sent Kwon Alexander to the Saints, isn’t going to see the field any time soon.
San Francisco took back Alonso in the deal despite the fact he hasn’t played since tearing his ACL early in the Saints’ first-round loss to the Vikings in last year’s playoffs. He’s been on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and Kyle Shanahan isn’t anticipating having him in the near future.
“Yeah, he’s not practicing anytime soon,” Shanahan told reporters on a video call Wednesday. “Hopefully we can reevaluate here after the bye.”
Reevaluating after the Bye means he’ll be looked at again in Week 12. Assuming he’ll need a couple weeks to get back into game shape when he does come off PUP, the earliest the 49ers might have the 30-year-old is Week 14. It could easily be later.
Alonso’s contract is up after this season, so there’s a real scenario he never plays a down for San Francisco unless he’s in their plans beyond this season. He’s a good athlete who could fit in as a Sam linebacker if the club does retain him.
Buffalo selected Alonso in the second-round of the 2013 NFL draft. He spent his first two years in Buffalo before going to the Eagles for a year, Miami for three and then signing last year with the Saints. In seven seasons he’s played 86 games with 67 starts. Alonso in those 86 games posted 588 tackles, 3.0 sacks and 10 interceptions.