Packers activate star CB Jaire Alexander from IR

The Packers have played most of this season without some of their best players, but the team will move another Pro Bowl talent back to its active roster. Jaire Alexander will be activated Wednesday, Matt LaFleur said (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, on Twitter).

Alexander has been out since Week 4 with a shoulder injury.

Joining David Bakhtiari and Za’Darius Smith in not factoring in to Green Bay’s recent push for the NFC’s bye, Alexander is not a lock to return to action this week. The Packers activated Bakhtiari weeks ago but have not seen him suit up yet. Smith remains on IR. That said, Alexander returning to practice three weeks ago marked a good sign for his late-season availability.

The team has held out hope both he and Smith will be back this season. Alexander opted against undergoing a shoulder surgery that would have ended his season in October. However, the Packers have seen his recovery take extensive time. The team has nevertheless managed to remain atop the NFC without a few cornerstone players.

A 2018 first-round pick, Alexander broke through last season for his first Pro Bowl. The Louisville product is Green Bay’s top cornerback, but the team invested a first-round pick in Eric Stokes this offseason. Both Stokes and in-season pickup Rasul Douglas have played well. Alexander, however, has a longer track record of success. With his fifth-year option season looming in 2022, Alexander will be on the radar for a big-ticket extension.