Jaire Alexander was downgraded to “Did Not Participate” on the final injury report for the Vikings game with a quad/groin injury. His inactivity on Sunday exposed weaknesses in the Packers’ secondary.
Sam Darnold had all day to throw and shredded Green Bay’s secondary. The Vikings outscored the Packers 28-7 in the first half. Corey Ballentine and Eric Stokes could not stop Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Jaire Alexander had a key interception in the red zone against the Eagles in Week 1. He came off a pick-six game against Will Levis and the Titans. In that game, he earned an 89.2 defensive grade and a 90.0 coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Many Green Bay fans were concerned when Jaire appeared on the injury report last week, and their worries were justified. The Vikings have arguably the NFL MVP in Sam Darnold so far, along with great passing weapons. They also have a solid running game featuring former Packer Aaron Jones.
The Packers had a game plan in place with Jaire Alexander in the starting lineup. When he appeared on the injury report, they had to devise a new strategy to stop the passing attack. Unfortunately, the Packers lack another cornerback near Jaire’s level.
He would most likely shadow Justin Jefferson. There’s a misconception that Jefferson consistently bests him, which is untrue. Jaire has had 23 coverage snaps against Jefferson as the nearest defender. In those snaps, Jefferson had five targets but only one catch for 12 yards, according to Next Gen Stats.
When healthy, Jaire Alexander is one of the best corners in the league. Some Packers fans need to recognize that the team needs him. It’s unfortunate that he has missed 26 out of the last 50 games. It’s not like he chooses to be out or injured.
The defense performs significantly better with Jaire Alexander on the field, and Green Bay needs him for the long run. The Packers have critical games ahead, including two matchups against the reigning NFC North champions, the Detroit Lions, as well as games against the Houston Texans and the San Francisco 49ers.
Hopefully, Jaire Alexander stays healthy for the rest of the year. He and Xavier McKinney have combined for six interceptions this season. Jeff Hafley maximizes talent in the secondary. As they acclimate to the scheme, the secondary and overall defense can reach new heights. The bottom line is: Jaire Alexander plays a crucial role in the culture the Packers are building, both on and off the field.
