Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers are facing a lot of uncertainties regarding injured cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Alexander injured the AC joint in his shoulder during their Week 4 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, it is unknown how long he'll be out or if he'll need surgery, which could mark the end of his season.
In his media availability on Wednesday, LaFleur confirmed that they are hoping to avoid surgery “at all costs,” noting that it “would likely” be season ending if they had to do it, per SB Nation.
“We’re still gathering opinions on that. We’re going to try to avoid that at all costs,” Matt LaFleur said of Alexander's shoulder injury.
As expected, Jaire Alexander didn't practice with the Packers on Wednesday as he nurses his shoulder issue. He is also expected to miss their Week 5 showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals, barring any unforeseen development.
The best-case scenario for the Packers is to let Alexander rest and hope that restricting his shoulder movement will help his recovery in a bid to avoid surgery. However, there is no doubt that his absence will hurt the surging Green Bay defense.
So far in the 2021 season, Alexander has already recorded 13 combined tackles on top of one interception and three passes defended. A one-time Pro Bowler in 2020, the 24-year-old is a key cog on a Packers defense that has been a lot better in their three straight wins.