49ers Rumors: LB Kwon Alexander Out for Season with Torn Pectoral Injury

Kyle Newport @@KyleNewportFeatured ColumnistNovember 1, 2019

San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (56) looks across the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander is out for the season after suffering a torn pectoral during Thursday night's 28-25 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Though he was unaware of his status moving forward at the time, Alexander remained positive after the game:

Kwon Alexander @kwon
GOD NEVER MAKES MISTAKES! TRUST ME IM A WARRIOR! IM IN THE MAN ABOVE HANDS SO I KNOW IM PROTECT FROM ANYTHING! THANKS FOR EVERYBODY CHECKING IN ON ME!

NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported on Thursday that the team had "some level of optimism" regarding the injury. The linebacker underwent an MRI on Friday to determine the full extent of the injury.

Unfortunately for the Niners, they will now have to chase a Super Bowl without the 2017 Pro Bowler.

It's a tough break for Alexander. A fourth-round pick in 2015, he spent the first four years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was limited to just six games in his final season in Tampa Bay last year due to a torn ACL.

The 25-year-old signed a four-year, $54 million contract with San Francisco in March, receiving $27 million in guaranteed money.

San Francisco's pass defense has played a big role in the team's 8-0 start. The 49ers own the top-ranked pass defense, allowing just 138.1 yards per game. Meanwhile, they are holding opposing passers to a 65.7 rating (second in the NFL) while having recorded 10 interceptions and 30 sacks, both of which are tied for the second-most in the league.

And Alexander had played a role in that success:

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PFF SF 49ers @PFF_49ers
More on Kwon Alexander, who is done for the season with a torn pectoral per Adam Schefter. Alexander coverage stats: PBU: 2 INT: 1 Passer Rating: 67.4 (2nd lowest among LBs) Alexander's struggles against the run had cropped up recently. Missed Tackles Wks 1-3: 0 Wks 3-9: 8 https://t.co/gn9VMmyqXL

David Lombardi @LombardiHimself
With Kwon Alexander out for the season, the 49ers are down one of the NFL’s top coverage linebackers this season. Alexander allowed the second-lowest passer rating among LBs into his coverage. Rookie Dre Greenlaw — perhaps the 49ers’ fastest LB — is the next man up.

David Lombardi @LombardiHimself
Furthermore: Kwon Alexander has been great vs pass, but not vs the run this year (49ers linebackers have struggled in that regard). It’s been important for 49ers to play with leads this year to hide their run D. If they continue leading, perhaps we’ll see a lot of dime packages

Alexander piled up 34 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and four pass breakups in eight games.

"It's going to be a tough loss," Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said, per KNBR's Jake Hutchinson.