Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has been grappling with a lingering knee issue that has turned out to be more severe than initially thought. In a recent interview with Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Alexander revealed he suffered a torn PCL during the Packers’ Week 8 victory over Jacksonville. The injury could sideline him for several more weeks as he works toward recovery.
Alexander’s troubles began after sustaining the tear, which forced him to miss Week 9’s game and coincided with the Packers’ bye in Week 10. Despite practicing on a limited basis leading up to Week 11, he was able to start against the Chicago Bears but managed only 10 defensive snaps before reaggravating the injury. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur had previously indicated that Alexander would be on a snap count, but the expectation was for him to play more than just a handful of plays.
Speaking to Schneidman, Alexander explained the situation: “I stayed here the whole bye week trying to hopefully come back and make an impact for the team. It was a game-time decision … we didn’t know until a few minutes before the game if I would play. I tried to give it a go, but after 10 plays, I felt something. PCL injuries don’t heal in three weeks, and going back out there reaggravated it.” He emphasized that he is now focused on getting his knee back to full strength.
Despite the setback, Alexander remains hopeful about returning to his All-Pro form for the latter part of the season. However, he acknowledged the need for additional rest to ensure a full recovery.
Injuries have unfortunately been a recurring issue for Alexander, who has missed significant time in recent years. After standout seasons in 2020 and 2022, he was limited to four games in 2021 due to a shoulder injury and played just seven games in 2023 while dealing with multiple ailments, including a one-game suspension. Earlier this season, he also missed two games with a groin injury.
With Alexander sidelined, Keisean Nixon continues to hold a starting cornerback role. Meanwhile, Carrington Valentine has overtaken Eric Stokes as the team’s third cornerback following Week 11, solidifying the depth chart in Alexander’s absence.
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