The Minnesota Vikings hosted former Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander for a workout on Tuesday, Houston NBC affiliate KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson reported on September 17.
A 2015 fourth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alexander’s once-promising career has been riddled with injury, missing at least four games in all but two seasons of his nine-year career.
He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2017 and was well on his way to another appearance before tearing his ACL in October 2018. Alexander went on to sign a four-year, $54 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers — but injuries derailed his ability to see that contract through.
Alexander played just eight games in the 2019 season before he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Traded midseason in 2020 to the New Orleans Saints, Alexander tore his Achilles on Christmas Day that year.
He was cut in the 2021 offseason by the Saints, who saved $24 million with the move. Alexander eventually re-signed for a veteran minimum and played 12 games in 2021.
Alexander played a full 17-game season for the New York Jets in 2022 before he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season. He played well in Pittsburgh before tearing his Achilles last November.
The Vikings’ inside linebacker group is helmed by Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr., who have played every defensive snap at the position through two weeks. Brian Asamoah and veteran Kamu Grugier-Hill are in line for reps behind the two starters.
But beyond that group is practice-squad linebacker Dallas Gant, an undrafted rookie.
A move doesn’t seem imminent, but the Vikings have a tab on Alexander and can move swiftly to sign him if there is a need in the future.
The Vikings also worked out linebackers Ekow Boye-Doe and cornerbacks Caleb Johnson and Damarion Williams.