Jaire Alexander’s Prolonged Absence Raises Concerns for Packers Ahead of Vikings Clash

The Green Bay Packers are facing a crucial stretch as they prepare for their Sunday matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, but All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander’s return remains as uncertain as ever. Despite practicing consistently for nearly a month, head coach Matt LaFleur has tempered expectations, acknowledging that Alexander’s chances of playing this week are no better than they were last week.

“I’d say probably not,” LaFleur admitted when asked if Alexander was closer to taking the field. Alexander was a full participant in practice leading up to last Monday’s game against the New Orleans Saints but was ultimately inactive. His lingering knee injury continues to limit his availability, leaving a significant hole in the Packers’ defensive lineup.

A Season of Frustration and Setbacks

Alexander’s absence has been a recurring storyline throughout the season. After suffering a PCL injury on October 27 during Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, his attempts at a comeback have been met with setbacks. The cornerback missed the Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions and returned briefly after the bye week, only to aggravate his injury after just 10 snaps against the Chicago Bears. Since then, he has practiced but remained sidelined for five additional games.

Here’s a snapshot of Alexander’s availability in NFC North games this season:

• Week 4 vs. Vikings: Inactive
• Week 9 vs. Lions: Inactive
• Week 11 vs. Bears: 10 snaps
• Week 14 vs. Lions: Inactive
• Week 17 vs. Vikings: TBD (but unlikely to play)

Adding to the intrigue, LaFleur has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Alexander’s condition. When pressed on whether the injury has worsened, the coach offered no definitive answers, leaving fans and analysts guessing. Alexander himself has expressed a strong desire to return this season, but with only two games left in the regular season, the window for his comeback is rapidly closing.

Why the Packers Haven’t Placed Alexander on Injured Reserve

One puzzling aspect of Alexander’s situation is the team’s decision not to place him on injured reserve (IR). Doing so would have required him to miss a minimum of four games. With the season winding down, the Packers appear to be holding out hope for his availability in the postseason. Resting Alexander for the remaining regular-season games against the Vikings and Bears seems like the most logical course of action, allowing him additional time to recover and potentially make an impact when it matters most.

A Season to Forget for Alexander

The 2024 season has been a challenging one for Alexander, who has played in only seven games and participated in just 37.8% of the team’s defensive snaps. His absence has forced the Packers to rely on a patchwork secondary that includes Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine, and Keisean Nixon as the starting cornerbacks. At safety, Xavier McKinney and Zayne Anderson filled in against the Saints, though Javon Bullard’s return to practice offers a glimmer of hope for the defensive unit. Evan Williams, however, is expected to remain sidelined.

What’s Next for Alexander and the Packers?

The uncertainty surrounding Alexander’s availability raises broader questions about his future with the team. As one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league, his prolonged absence this season has been a significant blow to the Packers’ defense. While his talent is undeniable, the team may face tough decisions if his health issues persist into the offseason.

For now, the focus remains on the immediate task at hand: securing a playoff berth. While Alexander’s return would undoubtedly bolster the Packers’ chances, the team has little choice but to move forward without him for the foreseeable future. If he can make it back for the postseason, it could provide the spark the defense needs to compete at the highest level. Until then, the Packers’ secondary will need to step up in his absence as they face the high-stakes challenge of the Vikings and beyond.

The saga of Jaire Alexander’s 2024 season is one of unfulfilled potential and lingering questions, leaving fans to wonder what could have been—and what might still be—in the critical weeks ahead.