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One of Ravens’ top offseason additions misses practice, but there’s a reason no one in Baltimore is hitting the panic button yet

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kyle Crabbs | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 7:19 PM ET

The Baltimore Ravens are a team boasting high expectations for the 2025 NFL season. Baltimore is expected to be one of the league's heavyweight programs, thanks in large part to the team's ability to supplement their stars with savvy veteran players on the cheap.

The final piece of that puzzle for Baltimore in 2025, cornerback Jaire Alexander, came tot eh team as an incredible value thanks in large part to his preexisting relationship with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Alexander does come with risk due to an extensive recent history of injuries — a risk that's well worth it for a team like Baltimore when coming with a $4 million price tag.

But the maintenance of their new cornerback has begun, as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh revealed on Monday.

Jaire Alexander sits out of Monday's practice due to knee swelling

The Alexander situation is one that Ravens coach John Harbaugh does not currently sound concerned about but it will be a situation to monitor moving forward. According to Harbaugh, Alexander sat out Monday's practice after having fluid drained from his knee. Harbaugh stated that he did expect his star cornerback back at practice on Tuesday.

“He should be back tomorrow.” Coach Harbaugh with a status update on Jaire Alexander pic.twitter.com/a1nWi6QFkP
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 28, 2025

Alexander had a season-ending knee injury in 2024, missing 10 games in the process.

These kinds of intermittent maintenance issues were always going to be part of the deal. Alexander has dealt with too much in recent years to assume that there would be no bumps in the road after his recent wear and tear. The hope for the Ravens should be to manage these kinds of issues as they arise and try to keep Alexander aligned to be ready to play late in the season and during the playoffs.

If that can materialize for the Ravens, they can consider the investment to be a win. Especially if it can lead to those other wins they're seeking in the playoffs.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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