Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur didn’t know whether cornerback Jaire Alexander would play again this season, but he did reveal that his injured running back was dealing with knee swelling.
Alexander first injured his knee behind schedule in the Packers’ victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 28, and the injury was aggravated in a game against the Chicago Bears on November 17. The injury is believed to be a tear in his PCL.
“Yeah, I don’t know,” LaFleur replied when asked if Alexander would play again this season. “As soon as I find out, I’ll let you know.”
LaFleur wouldn’t say whether there was a dispute between the team and the player over the injury, but said the main concern was swelling.
“I really can’t get into it all,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s dealing with swelling and he doesn’t feel good going out there and playing.”
Alexander has missed the last six games and has only played 10 total snaps since his Week 8 injury.
Alexander’s participation in the practice deepened the mystery. He was available as a full participant at times over the past few weeks, but either didn’t feel physically ready to return or didn’t show the Packers he was physically capable of playing in the game.
Without Alexander in the lineup, the Packers replaced Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine on the perimeter, with Nixon and rookie Javon Bullard in place.
Swelling in the knee at this stage of recovery may suggest that Alexander’s return this season is a long way off. Will the Packers be able to make a deep playoff run in the NFC without their No. 1 defenseman?
