Report: Packers' Jaire Alexander Placed on IR with Knee Injury Ahead of NFL Playoffs

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is being placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for the next four games as the Packers prepare for their playoff run, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The 27-year-old recently underwent a knee scope while managing a PCL sprain and could potentially return for the Super Bowl if the Packers advance that far, according to Rapoport.

The former 18th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has recorded 15 solo tackles this season, along with two interceptions and seven passes defended.

Alexander initially injured his knee in Week 8 during the closing moments of Green Bay's 30-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He returned three weeks later, playing just 10 snaps during the Packers' game against the Chicago Bears. Alexander has not played since that Nov. 17 matchup.

According to Packers.com's Wes Hodkiewicz, Alexander participated in practice sporadically since his initial injury, including completing a full week of practice before Green Bay's Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. However, he was ruled out just before the game. A similar pattern occurred leading up to their Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings, where Alexander practiced earlier in the week but missed Friday's session and was ultimately ruled out.

"It's unfortunate," head coach Matt LaFleur said on Wednesday, per Hodkiewicz. "It is what it is. I feel for him. Obviously, he was trying to get his knee right, it wasn't getting right, and so, yeah, it's a tough deal for all of us.

Alexander has been managing a series of injuries, appearing in only 14 regular-season games over the past two seasons due to issues with his back, shoulder and knee, according to Hodkiewicz.

Teammate and Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney echoed LaFleur's sentiments, commending Alexander's dedication and efforts to return to the field.

"It's been tough," McKinney said, per Hodkiewicz. "We know that he was working to try to get back, but it's like every time he was trying to, he would tweak it again. It's a part of the game. We're just trying to be with him as much as possible, try to make sure he was good mentally because I knew how much it was hurting him not to be out there with us, just having conversations with him personally."

Carrington Valentine, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, will step into the left cornerback position in Alexander's absence. This season, Valentine has tallied 15 solo tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions and five passes defended.