The 7-3 Green Bay Packers are fighting to stay in the playoff race within the highly competitive NFC North, but their task just got tougher following an update on Jaire Alexander’s injury. The star cornerback, who has been dealing with a knee issue in recent weeks, is now reportedly facing several weeks on the sidelines due to a PCL tear, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
A first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Alexander has developed into one of the league’s premier cornerbacks when healthy. A two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Second-Team All-Pro, his presence is crucial for a defense tasked with competing against two of the league’s top offenses within the division. Schneidman’s report did not specify a timeline for Alexander’s return, raising questions about Green Bay’s next steps, which might include exploring the free agent market for a temporary replacement.
With most top free agents already signed by late November, options are limited. However, four-time Pro Bowler Xavien Howard remains available and has reportedly worked out for several teams. The Packers could pursue the veteran, but they may need to act quickly to fend off interest from contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens.
Packers Could Poach Xavien Howard After Jaire Alexander Injury
The Green Bay Packers could bolster their secondary by signing top free agent Xavien Howard following Jaire Alexander’s PCL injury. With the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens also in the mix, the Packers may need to move quickly to secure the veteran cornerback.
Chiefs Eyeing Howard to Strengthen Secondary
Despite their impressive 9-1 record, the Chiefs’ perfect 7-0 mark in one-score games highlights a need for improvement. After addressing offensive and defensive gaps with the additions of DeAndre Hopkins and Josh Uche, Kansas City’s secondary remains vulnerable.
Trent McDuffie continues to shine as a top-tier corner, but the Chiefs lack depth after Jaylen Watson suffered an ankle injury while stepping in for the departed L’Jarius Sneed. Xavien Howard, the best free-agent cornerback available, would be an ideal fit. However, the Jaire Alexander injury could push Green Bay to act swiftly, pressuring Kansas City to make their move sooner.
Ravens in the Mix to Fix Their Secondary
The Ravens, fresh off a boost in their AFC North standings after Pittsburgh’s loss to Cleveland, also need cornerback reinforcements. While Tre’Davious White showed flashes of his old All-Pro form in a recent game, his overall struggles since his Los Angeles Rams tenure make his consistency questionable.
Baltimore should consider signing Howard to solidify their secondary, especially with playoff matchups against quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen on the horizon. Though Howard isn’t at his peak, the veteran brings valuable experience and depth to a team in contention.
A Three-Way Race for Howard
As teams like the Packers, Chiefs, and Ravens jockey for postseason positioning, securing Xavien Howard could be a decisive factor. For Green Bay, it’s about covering for a critical injury. For Kansas City and Baltimore, it’s a move to fortify their rosters for deep playoff runs. Whoever acts fastest might win the services of the coveted cornerback.
Leave a Reply