For weeks, Green Bay Packers two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander has been the subject of much conversation and debate for weeks now. In Week Eight, he injured his knee during the defense’s final play against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur originally reported that he had avoided major injury and would only require a couple of weeks off, one of which included the Bye Week.
So Alexander returned to the field in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears, but was only able to play 10 defensive snaps before he removed himself from the game. Afterwards, LaFleur revealed that the injury was much worse than had been originally stated.
Alexander had torn his PCL.
Over the next several weeks, Alexander tried to rehab his knee and even was a full participant in practices. However, he was never activated for game day, leading many fans to believe that he was avoiding getting back on the field.
As it turns out, those accusations were baseless and completely false.
Green Bay Packers Cornerback Jaire Alexander Is Having Season-Ending Surgery
Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that Alexander was one of eight Packers players not participating in practice. This was not a surprise as he did not practice Friday and, of course, did not play against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
However, after practice, LaFleur told the media that Alexander was going to have season-ending surgery on his knee. He tried to play through it and let it heal on its own, but he kept on tweaking it.
This marks the third season in four years that has seen Alexander play less than half a season. Many fans now are questioning whether or not he has a future with the organization.
Green Bay Packers Safety Xavier McKinney Opens Up About the Jaire Alexander Injury
Speaking with reporters at his locker following practice, Packers safety Xavier McKinney revealed that Alexander has been really struggling with not being on the field with his teammates. It sounds like, on top of his physical injury, he was also dealing with the mental health tolls that come with feeling like he was letting the team down.
He also revealed that the rest of the Packers have his back, 100%.
“I knew how much it was hurting him not to be out there with us.”
Xavier McKinney on losing Jaire Alexander for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/uOZos2ZuEu— Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) January 1, 2025
“It’s been tough. I mean, obviously, he’s been dealing with this injury pretty much all year. We’ve wanted him to, obviously be back out there. But injuries are part of the game and we understand that. We know that he’s been working.
“You know, he’s been working, trying to get back back. But every time he would try, he would tweak it again and so, it’s just a part of the game.
“We’ve been just trying to be with him as much as possible, trying to make sure that good mentally. We knew how much it was, at least I knew how much it was hurting him not being able to be out there with us, just based on conversations I’ve had with him personally. So, yeah, those were the challenges that he faced.”
McKinney’s comments really fly in the face of fan opinions that claimed Alexander was a cancer in the locker room or that he did not care about the team.
Obviously, the rest of the Packers players all care about him just as much as he cares about them, which is a great deal.
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