How Will the Packers Handle Jaire Alexander’s Return?

Recently, the Green Bay Packers have had to game plan without Jaire Alexander. The star cornerback has missed 31 of the last 65 games, mainly due to injury.

Alexander started in Green Bay’s first three games this season, recording two interceptions, including a pick-six against the Tennessee Titans. However, he missed Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings due to quad and groin injuries.

Sam Darnold recorded a 123.4 passer rating, while Eric Stokes and Keisean Nixon allowed 10 catches on 13 targets for 164 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota averaged 13.8 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns.

Stokes and Nixon’s passer rating allowed
When Jaire Alexander plays: 71.6
When Jaire is out: 111.6
— Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) December 12, 2024

The Packers didn’t have Alexander in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. He returned in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals and played the next two games before tearing his PCL on the final defensive snap against the Jacksonville Jaguars. As a result, Alexander missed Green Bay’s Week 9 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

He only played 10 snaps against the Chicago Bears in Week 11 before the Packers subbed him out, and he hasn’t returned to the field since. A few days after the game, he revealed he had a torn PCL and was uncertain about his return. Despite practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, he missed Friday’s session and was later ruled out for the game against the Seattle Seahawks.

It seemed like Alexander was on track to play in the Emerald City, but Matt LaFleur gave his Pro Bowl cornerback another week of rest.

“Based on what I saw the past couple days, I didn’t feel he was ready to play,” LaFleur said. “There are certain requirements to get out there and go play, certain speeds and whatnot. When you’re not hitting them, you’re not ready to play.”

Green Bay contained Seattle’s offense, holding them to just 13 points. The Packers are 10-4, one win away from clinching a playoff berth. They will host the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, travel to face the Minnesota Vikings, and close the regular season at home against the Chicago Bears.

The Packers will face a short week in Week 17 against Minnesota, a divisional and playoff opponent, with the game potentially deciding the fifth seed. Alexander might not play against the Saints duo. The 5-9 Saints will probably start Spencer Rattler and be without Chris Olave. Therefore, Green Bay should be able to handle New Orleans without Alexander.

If Green Bay beats New Orleans, it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff handles Alexander’s return. Assuming the Vikings lose in Seattle, the Packers would be just one game behind Minnesota with their second matchup still ahead and the Vikings set to visit Detroit in Week 18.

Injuries are typically straightforward in the NFL. A player is either healthy enough to take the field or doesn’t suit up. We’ve already seen this with the Packers this year. In Week 8 against the Jaguars, Jordan Love injured his groin and stayed in the game, but they later replaced him with Malik Willis. Love couldn’t protect himself, prompting LaFleur to pull him.

If Alexander is healthy this week, he will play. However, the Packers might consider giving him an extra week to rest and prepare for the much more critical Week 17 matchup against the Vikings. There’s no scenario where Green Bay beats New Orleans, Seattle beats Minnesota, Alexander is healthy, and he’s not on the field on December 29.

Green Bay’s handling of Alexander will reveal how much they value seeding. Will they risk playing him to secure a higher seed, even with a playoff berth already locked up?

My hunch is that the only way we’ll see Alexander in the regular season again is if the Packers have a shot at earning the fifth seed. Otherwise, fans should expect to see him on Wild Card weekend. I don’t think seeding will heavily influence Green Bay’s decision on his return.

There’s a Portuguese saying, often used in soccer: “Time que quer ser campeão não escolhe adversário,” meaning, “A team that wants to be champion doesn’t choose its opponents.” Even if Green Bay earns the fifth seed, they’ll still have to go on the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit, or both. The Packers will need a healthy Jaire Alexander available for those games.

The most important thing for Green Bay fans to understand is that in no way is Alexander missing games on purpose or choosing to be on the sidelines. He’s likely working as hard as anyone to get back on the field as soon as possible, and anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional.