Tag: Alexander

Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans defensive lineman Bear Alexander (90) gestures during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: USC DT Bear Alexander to re-enter transfer portal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Defensive tackle Bear Alexander plans to enter the transfer portal after one season with Southern California, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

A coveted interior defender, Alexander is ranked the No. 1 defensive tackle in the transfer portal this offseason by 247 Sports. He had 47 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 2023.

Alexander was at USC’s spring practice on Tuesday before news of his imminent departure leaked.

Wisconsin hired USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, leading to speculation Alexander could join the Badgers when the transfer portal officially is open on April 15.

But the Texas native is thought to be considering joining the overhauled Texas A&M defense.

The former five-star Georgia recruit’s next stop will be his eighth program in seven years dating to his high school days. He played for the Bulldogs as a freshman before leaving for USC.

–Field Level Media

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) reacts after intercepting a pass during the first quarter of the wild card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Packers hopeful CB Jaire Alexander can play Saturday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is questionable for Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.

The two-time Pro Bowler did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday after reinjuring his ankle in Sunday’s wild-card win at Dallas. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry said Wednesday there was optimism from the team on the belief Alexander was in better shape this week than he was entering the wild-card game.

Head coach Matt LaFleur Thursday said missing practice was part of the rehab process and that Alexander still has a chance to be on the field against the top-seeded 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.

“Just where he’s at right now,” LaFleur told reporters Thursday. “Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go.”

Alexander, 26, recorded seven tackles and an interception in the 48-32 win against the Cowboys before aggravating his ankle injury in the second half. He had rolled the ankle during a practice ahead of the game against Dallas.

He was limited to seven starts during the regular season, missing nine games due to injury and then serving a one-game team suspension in Week 18 for a coin-toss incident. He had 27 tackles and five passes defensed.

The highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million extension in May 2022. The 2018 first-round pick has recorded 10 interceptions in 71 games (69 starts).

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The ball goes through hands of Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander (54) applies coverage during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Steelers LB Kwon Alexander tore Achilles vs. Packers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander is done for the season with a torn Achilles, ESPN and NFL Network reported Sunday.

Alexander was injured during the first quarter of Sunday’s 23-19 home victory over the Green Bay Packers. After the game, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin termed it “a serious lower-body injury.”

Alexander has 41 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble in nine games with the Steelers.

It was the second major injury to a Pittsburgh linebacker this month. Cole Holcomb sustained a season-ending knee injury against the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 2.

Alexander also sustained a torn Achilles on Christmas Day in 2020 as a member of the New Orleans Saints.

Alexander, 29, is in his ninth NFL season. He has played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015-18), San Francisco 49ers (2019-20), Saints (2020-21), New York Jets (2022) and Steelers.

Alexander recorded a career-best 145 tackles for the Buccaneers in 2016. He made the Pro Bowl the following season when he had 97 tackles and a career-high three interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs for a touchdown during the second half of their game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike De Sisti-USA TODAY Sports

Packers RB Aaron Jones questionable to face Lions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones turned in his third straight limited practice on Wednesday and is listed as questionable to play versus the visiting Detroit Lions on Thursday.

Jones suffered a hamstring injury at the end of his 35-yard touchdown catch-and-run in Green Bay’s 38-20 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10. He sat out the Packers’ 25-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons the following week and 18-17 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Wide receiver Christian Watson recorded his second consecutive limited practice session on Wednesday and is questionable to face the Lions (2-1). He has yet to make his season debut while dealing with a hamstring injury.

Jaire Alexander (back) was limited for the second straight practice on Wednesday. He joins fellow cornerback Carrington Valentine (biceps) and offensive lineman Zach Tom (knee) as questionable.

Green Bay offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (knee), guard Elgton Jenkins (knee), linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (ankle) and safety Zayne Anderson (hamstring) did not practice at all this week and were ruled out against Detroit.

The Lions listed running back David Montgomery (thigh), tackle Taylor Decker (ankle), guard Jonah Jackson (thigh), safety Kerby Joseph (hip) and defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (knee/hamstring) as questionable to face Green Bay (2-1). Those five players were estimated as limited participants in Wednesday’s practice.

Offensive tackle Matt Nelson (ankle), fullback Jason Cabinda (knee) and guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee) were ruled out for Thursday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs with the ball against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Packers RB Aaron Jones, WR Christian Watson inactive vs. Saints

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones, wide receiver Christian Watson, left tackle David Bakhtiari and cornerback Jaire Alexander were ruled inactive for Sunday’s game against the visiting New Orleans Saints.

All four players were listed as questionable on Friday by the Packers (1-1), who have a quick turnaround with a home game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday.

Jones sustained a hamstring injury at the end of his 35-yard touchdown catch-and-run in Green Bay’s 38-20 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sept. 10. He finished with nine carries for 41 yards and a score and two receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Fellow running back A.J. Dillon likely will see a boost in playing time with Jones sidelined for the second straight game.

Watson has yet to make his season debut due to his hamstring injury. He recorded 41 catches for 611 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games (11 starts) as a rookie in 2022.

Bakhtiari is nursing a knee injury. The three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro first-team selection has made 130 regular season starts for Green Bay, although a knee injury limited him to one start in 2021 and 11 in 2022.

Alexander was added to the Packers’ injury report on Friday with a back injury. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has eight tackles and two pass deflections in two games this season.

The Packers also listed defensive backs Anthony Johnson Jr. and Zayne Anderson as well as offensive guard Elgton Jenkins as inactive.

As for the Saints (2-0), they listed the following as inactive for Sunday’s game: cornerback Paulson Adebo, tight end Foster Moreau, wide receiver A.T. Perry, offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri and defensive lineman Kyle Phillips.

–Field Level Media

Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Bear Alexander (99) reacts after a play against the TCU Horned Frogs during the second quarter of the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia DT Bear Alexander part of transfer portal rush

Posted on | by Field Level Media

College football’s spring transfer portal opened on Saturday, drawing dozens of notable names including Georgia defensive tackle Bear Alexander.

Alexander recorded two sacks in 12 games as a freshman for the national champion Bulldogs in 2022, including a sack in the title game against TCU. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound lineman has three years of eligibility remaining.

The transfer portal window closes again on April 30.

Other players entering the portal, according to multiple media outlets, included:

–Auburn WR Tar’Varish Dawson Jr., DE Jeffrey M’Ba
–Boston College CB Josh DeBerry
–Colorado CB Nikko Reed
–Kansas TE Max Dowling
–Kentucky DB Vito Tisdale, CB Andre Stewart
–Maryland OL Keon Kindred
–NC State QB Ben Finley
–North Texas TE Var’Keyes Gumms
–Oklahoma State OL Caleb Etienne
–TCU WR Deshawn McCuin, WR Blair Conwright
–Texas DE/LB Derrick Brown, LB Trevell Johnson, WR Brenen Thompson, WR Jaden Alexis
–Texas A&M OL Matthew Wykoff

–Field Level Media

Jul 26, 2019; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Trevon Coley (93) runs a drill during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Bears sign DL Trevon Coley, CB Davontae Harris

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Bears signed defensive lineman Trevon Coley and cornerback Davontae Harris on Friday.

Chicago waived defensive tackle Auzoyah Alufohai and safety Jon Alexander to make room on the 90-man roster.

Coley, 28, has played in 44 games (31 starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2017-18), Indianapolis Colts (2019) and Arizona Cardinals (2020). He has 100 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one safety.

Harris, 27, was Cincinnati’s fifth-round pick in 2018 and has 59 tackles and one forced fumble in 36 games (nine starts) with the Bengals (2018), Denver Broncos (2019-20), Baltimore Ravens (2020), Los Angeles Chargers (2021) and San Francisco 49ers (2021).

Alufohai, 25, signed with Chicago in September 2021 and spent part of last season on the practice squad. He played in three games with the Houston Texans in 2020.

Alexander, 22, joined the Bears in May as an undrafted free agent from Charlotte.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) celebrates after breaking up a pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Packers place CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder) on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Green Bay Packers placed top cornerback Jaire Alexander on injured reserve Saturday with an ailing shoulder.

The move comes one day after coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers are hopeful that Alexander’s AC joint injury will heal on its own over the next few weeks. Alexander is required to sit out the next three games as a result of being placed on injured reserve.

Alexander, 24, suffered the injury during the third quarter of Green Bay’s 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

A first-round pick in 2018 and a Pro Bowl selection last season, Alexander has 188 tackles and five interceptions in 48 career games (46 starts). He has 13 tackles and one pick this season.

Cornerback Kevin King (concussion) had been removed from the injury report and is set to start in Alexander’s place when the Packers (3-1) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) on Sunday. King has missed the past two games.

Also on Saturday, the Packers activated defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster from the reserve/COVID-19 list and elevated guard Ben Braden and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown from the practice squad to the active roster.

Lancaster, 26, has recorded five tackles in three games this season. He has 84 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 46 career games (18 starts) with Green Bay.

Braden, 27, has played in seven career games with the New York Jets and Packers.

St. Brown, 25, has one catch for zero yards in two games this season. He has 29 receptions for 445 yards and one touchdown in 26 career games with the Packers.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) reacts against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Divisional Round at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Packers exercise fifth-year option on CB Jaire Alexander

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Green Bay Packers exercised the fifth-year option of standout cornerback Jaire Alexander, according to multiple reports on Friday.

Alexander will receive $13.294 million in 2022 in the final season of his rookie deal.

Alexander was a Pro Bowl selection last season when he had 51 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.

The 18th overall pick in 2018, Alexander has 175 tackles, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks in 44 career contests (42 starts).

Alexander had seven college interceptions at Louisville (2015-17) before being tabbed in the first round by Green Bay.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive guard Andrus Peat (75) lines up against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter of a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Saints clearing cap space with flurry of moves

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and reportedly restructured the contracts of offensive lineman Andrus Peat and safety Malcolm Jenkins on Wednesday, clearing nearly $16 million in cap space.

The Saints are also expected to release linebacker Kwon Alexander in the coming days, a move that would clear another $13 million in cap space.

Sanders, who turns 34 on March 17, would have counted $10.5 million against the salary cap in 2021. His release frees up $6.5 million, per Spotrac. Sanders confirmed his release in a social media post.

Sanders caught 61 passes for 726 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games in his first season with New Orleans in 2020.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection had three straight 1,000-yard seasons with Denver (2014-16), and has caught 662 passes for 8,619 yards and 47 touchdowns in 158 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-13), Broncos (2014-19), San Francisco 49ers (2019) and Saints.

The Saints lowered Peat’s cap hit from $11.6 million to $5.6 million for this season, per the report. As a result, Peat will carry a cap hit of $15.45 million in 2022. The 27-year-old has started 73 of 78 games played since the Saints drafted him No. 13 overall in 2015.

The Saints reduced Jenkins’ salary to $1.05 million, converting $5.5 million of the difference into a signing bonus that will be spread over the next three years, per the report. The team saved $3.4 million for this season.

Jenkins, 33, started all 16 games for the Saints last season, intercepting three passes and racking up 91 tackles and 10 passes defensed.

The Saints traded for Alexander during the 2020 season, sending linebacker Kiko Alonso and a 2022 fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers. Alexander started seven games for the Saints before tearing his Achilles in December, missing the postseason. He’s expected to be ready for training camp.

The Saints slapped safety Marcus Williams with the franchise tag on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media