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William Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander Held Out of Baltimore Ravens Practice for Predictable Reason

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 6:19 PM ET

One of the biggest storylines in the NFL this offseason was the decision the Green Bay Packers made to release two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Last year, the former first-round pick played in just seven games due to various injuries, including a torn PCL that cost him all but 10 snaps of the second half of the season. The year prior, he played just seven games as well due to other injuries.

In other words, out of the past 34 possible regular season games, Alexander played in just 14 of them. Dating back to 2021, he played in just 34 out of a possible 68 regular season games, with 2022 being the only season in which he played more than seven contests.

According to prior reports, Green Bay and Alexander disagreed on how his knee injury last season should be treated. This led to a fracture in their relationship and, eventually, the cornerback’s release.

Former Green Bay Packers Cornerback Jaire Alexander Signed with the Baltimore Ravens

Green Bay Packers: Ex-Green & Gold CB Jaire Alexander Has Brutally Honest Reminder to Lamar Jackson 3 Jul 24, 2025; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) runs drills during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Prior to his release, Alexander and the Packers had engaged in talks over a revised contract that would lower his salary cap hit and allow him to become a free agent following this upcoming season. However, he did not agree to Green Bay’s terms, and since no NFL team wanted to offer up draft capital in a trade for him, the Packers were forced to release him.

Not only was this development a disappointment to fans, among whom Alexander was a favorite player, but it sparked concern that would join one of Green Bay’s NFC North division rivals.

Instead, though, Alexander signed a one-year $6 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He had previously been linked to them due to the fact that he and two-time NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson were teammates in college.

Former Green Bay Packers Cornerback Jaire Alexander Missed Baltimore Ravens Practice with a Knee Injury

Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander Held Out of Baltimore Ravens Practice for Predictable Reason 2 Jul 24, 2025; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) runs drills during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Unfortunately for Alexander and the Ravens, the injury concerns that the Packers had regarding the star cornerback seem to have reappeared in Baltimore. According to multiple reporters, the two-time Pro Bowler did not practice on Monday due to swelling in his knee:

Ravens HC John Harbaugh said CB Jaire Alexander didn’t practice Monday due to swelling in his knee. Alexander will have the knee drained and is expected to practice Tuesday.

This is the exact type of scenario the Packers feared could unfold with Alexander.

— Jason B. Hirschhorn (@by_JBH) July 28, 2025

Alexander is getting his knee drained and is expected to practice on Tuesday.

But even though it is just one practice and he is just supposed to miss one day, the fact of the matter is that his knee will never be the same. This will be an injury that will affect him for the rest of his career, and could cause him to miss time during the season.

While an unpopular decision among many, perhaps releasing Alexander was the right move for the Packers after all.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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