Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur didn’t know if cornerback Jaire Alexander would play again this season but did reveal that his injured defender is dealing with swelling in his knee.
Alexander first injured his knee late in the Packers’ Oct. 28 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he suffered an aggravation of the injury while facing the Chicago Bears on Nov. 17. The injury is believed to be a tear in his PCL.
“Yeah, I don’t know,” LaFleur said when asked if Alexander would play again this season. “As soon as I know, I’ll let you guys know.”
LaFleur declined to say if there was a disagreement between the team and player on the injury but did say swelling is a primary concern.
“I can’t really get into all that,” LaFleur said. “I do know that he’s been dealing with swelling and you know, he doesn’t feel right to go out there and play.”
Alexander has missed the last six games and has played only 10 total snaps since suffering the injury in Week 8.
Alexander’s practice participation has deepened the mystery. He’s been available as a full participant at times in the last couple of weeks but either hasn’t felt physically ready to return or didn’t show the Packers he was physically capable of playing in a game.
Without Alexander in the lineup, the Packers have rotated Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine on the perimeter and Nixon and rookie Javon Bullard in the slot.
Swelling in the knee at this point in his recovery might suggest Alexander is a long shot to return this season. Can the Packers make a deep playoff run in the offense-rich NFC without their No. 1 cornerback?