New Orleans Saints linebacker Kwon Alexander referred to multiple things as "legendary" after his debut at training camp, the most important being how he feels barely 8 months after suffering a torn Achilles.
The former LSU star signed with the team this week and has gone through mostly conditioning work over his first two days of practice, but he says he's ready to go and "way, way, way more explosive" than ever before.
"I was trying to get back. I was rushing trying to tell them to hurry up and come back and get me," Alexander said. "This is where I wanted to be.”
Alexander played in seven games for the Saints in the 2020 season after a midseason trade from the San Francisco 49ers, but suffered his season-ending injury during a Week 16 blowout of the Minnesota Vikings. He was released early in the offseason as the team shed more than $100 million to get under the salary cap.
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Coach Sean Payton said the team always wanted to get Alexander back in the fold, it was just a matter of working out the right contract. That deal was inked this week, worth a maximum of $3 million with incentives.
"I knew I could come back from my injury and everything like that, so I took a better approach," Alexander said. "I took care of my body. Made sure I was healthy …eating right and everything. Now I feel legendary."
The speed of his recovery from such a significant injury built hype around his return, which was stoked by workout videos posted regularly throughout the offseason. Alexander said he had no interest in hearing about potential timelines, but it was another "legendary" aspect that helped him the most: Training with Sharif Tabbah, better known as Doctor Reef.
Alexander said he was turned on to Doctor Reef by Alvin Kamara, who regularly goes viral due to the uniquely concocted workouts that often target balance. That work went a long way toward Alexander's quick return.
"I seen how [Kamara] was moving with his balance and everything," Alexander said. "So I went down there with him. He was so legendary. He had me doing all kinds of stuff to get my body right, balance and all. I appreciate everything from him.”
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The next challenge for Alexander will be proving he's back to the level that he can make an impact alongside Demario Davis in the Saints' linebacker corps. The team has several young players vying for time at the WILL spot, including rookie Pete Werner and second-year player Zack Baun.
But it's quarterback Jameis Winston who best summarized why Alexander brings a needed element to the team, which he's well aware of having known the linebacker since he was 14 years old.
"Think about how much adversity he has faced, that he's overcame, was resilient. That inspires me," Winston said. "So why would I not want to have high energy? Why would I not want to persevere when there's all eyes on me?"