The Green Bay Packers may be without star cornerback Jaire Alexander for an extended period due to a lingering right knee injury, according to sources close to the situation. The two-time All-Pro has been dealing with the ailment for the past three weeks, and it forced him out of last Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears after playing only 10 snaps.
Torn PCL Sidelines Alexander
Alexander revealed to The Athletic on Thursday that he suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his right knee during the final defensive play of the Packers’ Oct. 28 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury caused him to hobble off the field and subsequently miss the team’s Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Despite returning to practice after the Packers’ Week 10 bye, Alexander entered last week’s game against the Bears on a limited snap count. However, he was forced to exit the contest before halftime as the knee injury continued to cause issues.
“I stayed here the whole bye week trying to hopefully come back and make an impact for the team,” Alexander told The Athletic. “It was a game-time decision at that, so we didn’t know … until, you know, few minutes before the game if I would play or not.”
No Definitive Return Timeline
While Alexander did not provide a specific timetable for his return, he emphasized the need for additional recovery time beyond the 21 days of non-contact practice he had already undergone. The cornerback’s comments suggest that the three weeks of limited activity following the initial injury were insufficient for a full recovery.
“I just need more than 21 days of non-contact,” Alexander said. “It just needed more time because to take three weeks off and not do much, that still wasn’t enough.”
Injury History Raises Concerns
The current knee injury is the latest in a series of setbacks for Alexander, who has missed significant time due to various ailments in recent seasons. Earlier this year, he was sidelined for the Packers’ Week 4 and 5 games with groin and quadriceps injuries.
Since the start of the 2021 season, Alexander has appeared in just 34 of a possible 61 games (56%), with a shoulder injury limiting him to only four regular-season contests in 2021. Of the 27 games he has missed during this span, all but one have been due to injury, with the lone exception being a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team in 2023.
Packers’ Secondary Depth Tested
If Alexander is unable to suit up for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, the Packers will likely turn to second-year cornerback Carrington Valentine to fill the void. Valentine, who has seen limited action thus far in his career, would be tasked with stepping into a starting role in a critical matchup for Green Bay.
The potential absence of Alexander, a key component of the Packers’ secondary, could prove costly as the team looks to maintain its position in the highly competitive NFC playoff race. As one of the league’s premier shutdown corners, Alexander’s presence on the field is often instrumental in neutralizing opposing teams’ top receiving threats.
Road to Recovery
While the exact timeline for Alexander’s return remains uncertain, the cornerback’s comments suggest that he is committed to making a full recovery and contributing to the Packers’ success this season. As he continues to rehabilitate his injured knee, the team’s medical staff will closely monitor his progress and make determinations on his availability on a week-to-week basis.
For now, the Packers must prepare for the possibility of an extended absence from their star cornerback, relying on the depth and talent within their secondary to weather the storm. As the season enters its crucial final stretch, Green Bay will need its defense to step up and maintain its high level of play, even without the services of one of its most valuable assets in Jaire Alexander.
