49ers vs. Buccaneers: 5 players to watch in 2019 regular-season opener

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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 24: Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs past Kwon Alexander #56 of the San Francisco 49ers for a 62-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter of a preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Linebacker Kwon Alexander

Well, there’s the reunion, obviously.

Tampa Bay selected Kwon Alexander with the No. 124 overall pick back in 2015. Alexander would go on to record a league-high 108 solo tackles the following year, eventually earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2017.

Then, of course, Alexander tore his ACL in 2018 after playing just six games, then finding himself in San Francisco on a lucrative free-agent deal.

Alexander saw limited time in the preseason, stemming mostly from his ACL recovery. When he did manage to play, however, Alexander looked rangy enough and healthy. Over the course of a full 60 minutes, and with the added effect of the Florida heat and humidity in early September, it will be interesting to see how the 25 year old holds up after missing substantial on-field time since last season.

It’s important the 49ers keep Alexander healthy, too. With the team’s defensive switch to a wide-9 alignment, guarding against interior runs by opponents will be crucial, placing Alexander’s run-stopping abilities at the forefront of coordinator Robert Saleh’s defensive plans.

If Alexander and the run stoppers hold up well enough, it will allow the previously mentioned Niners pass rush to do its job.