The Green Bay Packers had hoped they would get some reinforcements for their secondary in the form of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. However, the team’s optimism quickly faded as Alexander was officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, marking the fourth consecutive week he will miss due to a knee injury.
This setback continues a frustrating stretch for the Packers, who had circled this matchup with optimism. Alexander, one of the highest-paid players on the roster, was expected to return after missing time since Week 8, when he tore his PCL on the final play of a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. After sitting out the following week against Detroit, he made an attempt to return in Week 12 against the Bears, but his comeback was short-lived. Alexander played just 10 snaps before re-aggravating the injury.
Early Optimism for Week 15
Heading into the week, there was hope that Alexander could make his long-awaited return against Seattle. The Packers’ coaching staff, including head coach Matt LaFleur, did not list Alexander on the injury report after Wednesday and Thursday practices. In fact, Alexander was a full participant in both days’ sessions, which led the cornerback to believe he was ready to go.
“I have more of a chance this week than I had last week,” Alexander said after Thursday’s practice, sounding confident that he could suit up.
However, despite the positive practice reports, LaFleur had reservations about rushing Alexander back into action too soon. On Friday, LaFleur made the decision to shut Alexander down for the week, citing concerns over the cornerback’s ability to perform at the required level.
LaFleur’s Cautionary Approach
When asked why Alexander did not practice on Friday, LaFleur explained, “Just based on what I saw the last couple of days, it didn’t feel like he was ready to play. There are certain requirements to get out there and go play, like certain speeds and whatnot. And when you’re not hitting them, you’re not ready to play.”
The decision reflects LaFleur’s cautious approach, especially given the injury woes Alexander has already faced. “I just did not want to have another situation like Chicago,” LaFleur continued. “Where [Alexander] is in for a couple of plays, and it puts a bind on every other area. It puts some guys in some tough spots in regards to special teams, and also you want to get the guys that are going to have to go play the reps.”
LaFleur’s emphasis on avoiding a repeat of the Chicago game underscores the reality that rushing Alexander back too early could cause further complications—not just for the defense, but for the team’s overall strategy, including special teams.
The Secondary Moves Forward Without Alexander
With Alexander unavailable, the Packers’ defense will continue to rely on their other cornerbacks: Ke’Sean Nixon, Eric Stokes, and Carrington Valentine. Although the Packers’ coaching staff is confident in the trio, they know Alexander’s absence will be felt. After all, Alexander is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier cornerbacks when healthy, a dynamic presence that can alter the course of a game.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley made it clear that Alexander’s return would be a major boon for the defense. “When Ja is healthy, he’s one of the best corners in our league,” Hafley stated. “Week in and week out, when you’re playing against some premier players, sometimes it’s helpful to have a premier player to have out there with him.”
However, Hafley remained upbeat about the rest of his defensive backs. “If he’s available, that would be great. If he’s not, I say this with complete confidence in all the other players we have, I’m confident that they’ll go out and we’ll compete and continue to play better and play good defense.”
A Crucial Matchup in Seattle
The Packers’ defense will need to step up in Alexander’s absence, particularly with the Seahawks coming into this matchup red-hot, having won four straight games. Seattle’s offense, led by quarterback Geno Smith, is hitting its stride at the right time. Smith ranks second in the league with 3,474 passing yards, and rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has emerged as a major threat, catching four touchdowns in the past five weeks.
For Green Bay, the stakes could not be higher. Currently holding the fifth seed in the NFC Wild Card race, the Packers cannot afford to lose ground. A win in Seattle is crucial to keep pace with the playoff race, but doing so without Alexander will be a tall order. Green Bay will need to rely on the depth and resilience of their defense to keep Smith and the Seahawks’ offense in check.
As the Packers continue to battle through injuries, the hope is that Alexander’s return is on the horizon. However, with another week of uncertainty ahead, Green Bay will need to dig deep and find ways to win without their top cornerback if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
