On the eve of their Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions made two roster changes to strengthen their linebacking group. The Lions elevated young defensive back Morice Norris from the practice squad to the active roster and signed former 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander to the practice squad to fill the open spot. Alexander had been released from the Lions’ practice squad earlier in the week.

Niners fans may remember Alexander as one of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch’s major free-agent signings early in their tenure. After spending his first four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alexander entered free agency as one of the top linebackers on the market. Despite rehabbing a torn ACL, the Niners offered him a significant four-year contract worth $25.5 million guaranteed.

Unfortunately, Alexander never quite lived up to expectations. Injuries limited him to just eight starts in his first season, and he played only 13 games with the Niners before being traded to the Saints during the 2020 season. After a season and a half with the Saints, Alexander reunited with former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh by joining the New York Jets in 2022, where he played in all 17 games and made 12 starts. He then joined the Steelers in 2023, playing in nine games and registering 41 tackles.

This season, Alexander has played in five games (four starts) between his time in Detroit and with the Broncos. Over his career, he has appeared in 109 games (92 starts), recording 643 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 34 passes defended, 31 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, and 9 interceptions.