Packers provide some positive news on Jaire Alexander injury
Green Bay Packers fans have waited nervously for an update on Jaire Alexander’s injury status.
While the All-Pro cornerback won’t be available this week against the Cincinnati Bengals, and potentially longer than that, head coach Matt LaFleur did provide some encouraging news on Friday.
According to LaFleur, at least for now, Alexander won’t be having surgery.
Packers have a decision on CB Jaire Alexander - for now.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) October 8, 2021
He's not going to have shoulder surgery. LaFleur said they're "going to let it heal and see where he's at."
Obviously out this week but the hope is he will return at some point. IR (with a chance to return) is possible.
He also said the hope is Alexander will be able to return “in a matter of weeks”. That’s certainly more encouraging than talks of season-ending surgery.
LaFleur on Jaire Alexander's shoulder: "We got better clarity with that. We're going to let heal and see where it's at. We're hopeful it'll heal the right way and he'll be back with us in a matter of weeks." #Packers
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) October 8, 2021
Of course, Alexander will be out in the short term and, as ESPN’s Rob Demovsky noted in his tweet, being placed on injured reserve is a possibility. That would keep him out a minimum of three games after being placed on IR.
While surgery hasn’t been ruled out down the line, it’s at least encouraging news that they believe the injury could potentially heal without surgery. Had he required surgery now, it’s almost a guarantee the All-Pro’s season would have been over.
With this update from LaFleur, there’s at least the possibility he could return.
In the meantime, the Packers’ defense will have to adjust.
Kevin King looks set to return from a concussion this week. He doesn’t have an injury designation on the injury report for Week 5. He could start with first-round pick Eric Stokes and Chandon Sullivan. The Packers also signed Rasul Douglas this week.
After two years of relatively good injury luck under LaFleur, the injury bug has hit the Packers hard this season.
In Week 5, here is a list of starting players who have either been ruled out or are questionable to play: Alexander, Za’Darius Smith, David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Jenkins is the only player on that list with a chance to play this week.
Hopefully Alexander will be able to return sooner rather than later.