Jaire Alexander’s time with the Green Bay Packers ended with his abrupt, unceremonious release in June. The former first-round pick spent seven seasons in Green Bay, making two Pro Bowls and emerging as one of the game’s best cornerbacks when healthy.
Later, health did not favor Alexander often. He missed 20 games over the last two seasons and 34 over his last four. After the Packers released him, Baltimore signed Alexander in free agency. Beleaguered by all too familiar injuries, he played just two games for the Ravens before they flipped him to the Eagles prior to the trade deadline. Now, with Alexander active and ready to go, the Packers will face him for the first time this week on Monday Night Football.
Alexander’s health issues came to define his Packers legacy
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who took over during Alexander’s second season, did not shy away from the Pro Bowler’s limited availability when asked to reflect on his time in Green Bay.
“I mean we all know the type of player, when he’s healthy, that he can be,” said LaFleur on Saturday. “Unfortunately, going back to what happened, I would say in Pittsburgh, that’s where it kind of flipped, and his availability was very inconsistent after that.”
Back in 2021, on Sunday, October 4 against the Steelers, Alexander suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter that ended his regular season. He returned for the playoffs (the Packers lost to the 49ers in the Divisional Round), but as LaFleur says, his health issues went downhill after the injury.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander does
The Griddy after breaking up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Despite coming back to play 16 games in 2022, he could not stay on the field either of the next two years, leading the team to cut him for financial reasons this offseason. The injuries went with him to Baltimore; the trade-happy Eagles now hope he has better luck for them.
For the Packers, Alexander made 287 tackles and came up with 12 interceptions in 78 games.
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