The Green Bay Packers will apparently need to make their complete postseason run with out two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated Wednesday that Alexander will endure surgical procedure to restore the knee damage that stored the 2018 first-round crew from enjoying for a lot of the previous two months.
“He will more than likely be performed for the remainder of the 12 months,” LaFleur stated.
The knee damage sidelined Alexander for the primary time in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 3. After the Packers took the week off, Alexander returned for one recreation in Chicago however performed simply 10 defensive snaps earlier than the damage sidelined him the remainder of the way in which. of that 20-19 victory.
Alexander has not performed since then, as he missed six consecutive video games. Now he in all probability will not be again in any respect this season.
“It’s the scenario,” LaFleur stated. “It sucks that we’re right here, however we’re right here.”
Alexander’s absence creates a significant impediment for the Packers of their try to enter the Super Bowl as a wild card. The Packers (11-4) are thought of the No. 7 seed within the NFC, which might power them to open the postseason in Philadelphia (13-3) and stay on the street for his or her complete playoff run.
The Packers might nonetheless earn the No. 1 seed. 6 in the event that they beat the Bears (4-12) at house on Sunday whereas the Washington Commanders lose in Dallas.
Green Bay ranks seventeenth within the NFL in passing yards allowed per recreation. His vulnerability on this regard was evident Sunday when the Packers allowed Sam Darnold to throw for a career-high 377 yards in a 27-25 loss to Minnesota.
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The Packers stay assured they will make a deep playoff run with the defenders they’ve at their disposal.
“I’ve full confidence within the guys in our room,” security Xavier McKinney stated. “I’ve been saying this for a very long time. We have lots of proficient guys, lots of guys which are good and may adapt on the fly. I be ok with our group. Obviously, we have now guys which are referred to as upon each week I really feel actually good about this group and what we have now.”
Alexander’s damage resulted in additional enjoying time for 2023 seventh-round draft choose Carrington Valentine and 2021 first-round choose Eric Stokes. Valentine performed each defensive snap in opposition to the Vikings and received his second interception within the final three video games.
“It’s actually the following man mentality,” Valentine stated. “We will all the time go on the market, compete and all the time do our greatest.”
Alexander, 27, has been one of many league’s finest protection corners when obtainable for a lot of his profession, however has performed simply 34 regular-season video games over the previous 4 seasons.
He performed simply 4 video games in 2021, earlier than a shoulder damage sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Alexander missed only one recreation the next season, however performed simply seven video games in 2023 and performed seven extra this season.
He missed three video games with a again damage, six extra with a shoulder damage and served a one-game suspension final season. This season, a groin damage sidelined him for 2 video games earlier than a knee problem developed.
“I understand how a lot he needs to be on the market,” Stokes stated. “The second I discovered, I used to be like, ‘Dang.’ I texted him. ‘I understand how you’re feeling. I do know what sort of participant you’re. I do know you actually need to be on the market for us,’ and all that stuff. He stated, ‘Whatever you need assistance with, hit me.’ I’ll be there.””
Associated Press reporting.
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