If we’re putting together a list of the most injury prone, unreliable NFL star players over the last few years, you can put Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander toward the top of the list.
The Ravens are finding this out from the jump with Alexander, a 2-time NFL All-Pro who signed to a 1-year, $4 million contract on June 18.
As of September 2, there’s still no word if Alexander will be available for a megawatt regular season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 7 in Buffalo.
“It’s unclear whether cornerback Jaire Alexander will be making his Ravens debut in Buffalo on Sunday night,” Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper wrote on September 2. “Alexander has been out of practice since August 9 because of knee issues. Head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that Alexander has been ramping up his physical activity ahead of Week 1, but that participating in practice this week will be a necessary step for him to get on the field against the Bills.”
One thing Alexander’s injury hasn’t done is stop him from hitting the road. He traveled to watch his alma mater, Louisville, take on Eastern Kentucky in their season opener on August 30.
Anybody have any idea how standing on a sideline for several hours on a hot summer day helps with knee rehab?
Injury Issues, Behavior Define Alexander’s Career
Alexander has missed the majority of 3 out of the last 4 seasons due to injuries.
He only played 4 games in 2021 due to a shoulder surgery and other injury/illness issues. He signed a 4-year, $84.1 million contract extension with the Green Bay Packers in May 2022 then delivered his last All-Pro and Pro Bowl season that year. He missed 10 games in 2023 with back and shoulder injuries and a 1-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Alexander will have approximately $76.4 million in career earnings through the 2025 season.
Alexander missed 10 games in 2024 with a knee injury and was released by the Packers on June 9.
“The #Packers are releasing star CB Jaire Alexander today, sources say,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account. “The #Packers and Jaire Alexander agreed to explore a potential trade this spring, while a restructured contract was also discussed. In the end, Green Bay and Alexander move on with a clean break.”
When Alexander has been healthy, he’s been one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks. He was drafted in the first round (No. 18 overall) of the 2018 NFL draft out of Louisville. Alexander had 41 pass deflections through his first 3 seasons, including a career high 17 pass deflections in 2021.
For as good as Alexander has been in the regular season, he’s been even better in the playoffs. In 7 career playoff games, Alexander has 28 tackles, 3 interceptions and 5 pass deflections.
Ravens Could Have NFL’s Best Secondary
For the Ravens, there’s really no reason to rush Alexander’s return because they have so much talent in their secondary.
That’s led by NFL All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton, who signed a 4-year, $100.4 million contract extension on August 27 that made him the highest paid safety in NFL history.
Alongside Hamilton, there’s also cornerback and 2024 first round pick Nate Wiggins (No. 30 overall) and safety Malaki Starks, Baltimore’s 2025 first round pick (No. 27 overall).
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