Matt LaFleur gives a brutally honest update when asked if Jaire Alexander is getting closer to return for the Packers
Cornerback Jaire Alexander has practiced for almost a month, but the All-Pro defensive player is not getting closer to his return. Head coach Matt LaFleur said his chances of playing for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, against the Minnesota Vikings, are not higher than they were last week. “I’d say probably not,” LaFleur honestly […]
Cornerback Jaire Alexander has practiced for almost a month, but the All-Pro defensive player is not getting closer to his return. Head coach Matt LaFleur said his chances of playing for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, against the Minnesota Vikings, are not higher than they were last week.
“I’d say probably not,” LaFleur honestly said when asked if Alexander was closer this week. He missed the New Orleans Saints matchup on Monday night despite being a full participant all week leading up to the game.
LaFleur said the cornerback was limited because of his knee.
Jaire Alexander in NFC North games this season:
- Week 4, Vikings: inactive
- Week 9, Lions: inactive
- Week 11, Bears: 10 snaps
- Week 14, Lions: inactive
- Week 17, Vikings: TBD (unlikely to play)
The coach was enigmatic and decided not to say if there was any type of aggravation in Alexander’s PCL injury. The cornerback himself said he intends to return to the field this season, but he’s played only 10 snaps in one game since he suffered the injury on October 27, against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8.
Jaire missed the Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions and tried to return after the bye, but aggravated his injury after 10 snaps against the Chicago Bears. Since then, despite practicing, he has already missed five other games. It’s at least curious that the Packers haven’t placed him on injured reserve.
At this point, though, it might not make sense to do so. If he is placed on IR, he’s forced to miss at least four games. With only two games left in the regular season, the likely plan is to rest Alexander against the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears to try to have him ready for the postseason.
The former All-Pro has played only seven games this season, including that Bears game. Alexander has been on the field for only 37.8% of the defensive snaps in 2024. It's already fair to question his future with the team.
The starting cornerback group has had Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine, and Keisean Nixon. The safeties against the New Orleans Saints were Xavier McKinney and Zayne Anderson, but Javon Bullard has a better shot at playing this week as he returned to practice despite an ankle injury. Evan Williams is expected to miss more time.
Jaire Alexander’s injury concerns bring fair questions about his future with the Packers
Cornerback is under contract through 2026
