Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander underwent surgery on his injured right knee and will miss the remainder of the season, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. announced on Wednesday. The Packers still have their Week 18 regular season finale against the Chicago Bears and will be in the playoffs as the seventh seed in the NFC.
Alexander underwent arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to relieve pain and swelling. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. The hope is that he can return if the Packers advance to the Super Bowl.
The seven-year veteran has been out since Week 11 with a torn ACL in his right knee.
He originally suffered the injury in a 30-27 Week 8 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Alexander did not play the following week in a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions. After a bye week, he attempted to play against the Chicago Bears, but was only able to play 10 snaps.
Alexander hoped to avoid surgery and told reporters that he did not believe the torn ACL was a season-ending injury. But the knee has not recovered after weeks of rest and non-contact practice.
If Alexander’s season ends, he will finish with 16 total tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
Alexander has two years left the four-year, $84 million contract He signed ahead of the 2022 season. However, he missed 27 games over the past four seasons due to injury. A shoulder injury cost him 13 games in 2021 and he missed one game in 2022 with a groin injury. Last season he was out for three games due to a back injury.
Because of that, the Packers may decide to move forward and save $17.5 million on their salary cap by cutting him after June 1. according to Spotrac.