Green Bay Packers Coach Matt LaFleur Explains Jaire Alexander’s 6-Game Absence

For the previous six games, the Green Bay Packers have been without Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Despite being able to train, the two-time Second Team All Pro hurt his shoulder against the Los Angeles Rams and has yet to return to the field. Green Bay has a 3-3 record in these six games.

Many people have been wondering why Alexander isn’t on the field for games for weeks. They say that if it was genuinely a serious injury, the team would have placed him on injured reserve. Conspiracy theories in the fandom and the media have suggested that there is a schism between Alexander and the coaching staff.

Unfortunately, Alexander erased his Packers-related Instagram posts, which fueled this notion even further. However, it should be noted that he does this every year and that his profile image is of him in his Packers outfit.

Nonetheless, Alexander’s absence has been a major topic outside of the Packers locker room. During his news conference today, head coach Matt LaFleur disclosed the true reason for their standout cornerback’s absence, and it does not bode well for their ability to analyze injuries.

Green Bay Packers “Miscalculated” How Serious Jaire Alexander’s Injury Was

This is not Alexander’s first time dealing with a significant shoulder issue. He missed most of 2021 due to the same shoulder ailment that afflicts him now. Despite the fact that it was a second shoulder injury that cost him most of 2021, the Packers did not believe it was serious enough to warrant a trip on injured reserve:

As any football fan knows, the shoulder is an important aspect of tackling, and Alexander, as a defender, is obliged to tackle. He has been able to practice since the NFL banned tackling in practice in order to protect player health.

It should also be noted that Alexander’s contract includes a per-game incentive. He is lost more than $400,000 due to the number of games he has missed this season.

In other words, he’d play if he could. If Alexander is fully healthy, he has no financial or personal motive not to play.