“Survivor” is back for Season 49 — its final outing with new contestants before next spring’s landmark 50th season, which will feature a cast of returning players for the first time since 2020.

It’s common practice for shows like Survivor to cast alternates who are prepared to take someone’s spot if someone backs out between casting and the beginning of filming. For Survivor 49, two alternates joined the fray and host Jeff Probst explained why with a pointed warning at future players.