Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander “Most Likey” Out v. Bengals
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers star cornerback Jaire Alexander left Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a shoulder injury—the severity of that injury has been unknown.
On Monday, when speaking with reporters, coach Matt LaFleur was asked about Alexander’s status, and he was vague, stating that “everything’s getting looked at,” and that the team was “getting some other opinions,” per Packers Wire.
Then on Wednesday, LaFleur was asked if Alexander would need surgery, saying, “we’re still gathering opinions on that,” and “I know we are going to try to avoid that at all costs.”
LaFleur would also add that Alexander is “most likely” out of this week’s upcoming matchup with Cincinnati.
We can’t overstate what losing Alexander means for this Green Bay Packers defense. In his short career, he has developed into one of the premier cornerbacks in the league.
Alexander is coming off a second-team All-Pro campaign in 2020 in which he allowed a completion rate of just 48 percent on 76 targets. He gave up just 9.5 yards per catch and came away with three interceptions and 14 pass breakups.
In three-plus games this season, Alexander has allowed 11 completions on 19 targets with an interception, a pass breakup, and 12.1 yards per catch, according to PFF ($$).
There’s certainly no replacing Alexander but the depth of this unit has received a boost. Kevin King was back at practice on Wednesday and LaFleur did say that he was “trending in the right direction.” The team would also sign veteran Rasul Douglas off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.
Against the Bengals, the Green Bay Packers will be facing a passing attack with Joe Burrow at quarterback and a group of receivers that features Ja’Marr Chase, who is 14th in total receiving yards with 297, and Tyler Boyd, who ranks 25th with 259 yards.
If King is able to go, we will likely see him and Eric Stokes as the two primary boundary corners with Chandon Sullivan in the slot. Isaac Yiadom and Shemar Jean-Charles will be there for depth while it’s difficult to gauge at this time how much of Douglas we will see given he just signed on Wednesday.
As far as how long the Packers will be without Alexander, well, that is still an unknown. Green Bay will continue to vet all of their options, but hopefully, surgery isn’t required.
If Alexander does need surgery, it will “most likely” end his season, said LaFleur to reporters.