The significance of Jaire Alexander's knee surgery now and in the future

The Packers don't expect Jaire Alexander back on the field anytime soon. His absence has major implications for the team, both for the rest of this season and in the years to come.

After weeks of uncertainty and speculation about star cornerback Jaire Alexander's health, the Green Bay Packers finally provided a meaningful update. Alexander, who tore the PCL in his right knee earlier this year, has undergone surgery and expects to miss the remainder of the season.

"Most likely, he's going to be done for the rest of the year," Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday, adding, "It's unfortunate. It is what it is. I feel for him. Obviously, he was trying to get his knee right. It wasn't getting right. It's a tough deal for all of us."

The news marks the end of a long and winding road for Alexander. Over the course of several weeks, the Packers ramped up the cornerback's practice work, suggesting he would return before the end of the season. Alexander participated fully in all but one practice between Week 15 and Week 16. However, swelling in his knee kept him on the sidelines for game days and, ultimately, forced him out of practice as well.

The Packers have not yet moved Alexander to injured reserve, though that move could transpire as soon as Thursday. In the improbable event that Alexander recovers well enough to return in the coming weeks, Green Bay would still have the opportunity to bring him off IR after four games, making an activation for the Super Bowl possible under NFL rules. Still, LaFleur's words and tone suggest that Alexander won't play again this season regardless.

Now that it appears all but guaranteed that Alexander won't suit up again for the foreseeable future, the Packers have to reckon with what his absence means, both in the short term and down the line.

Impact on the remainder of the 2024 season