The Green Bay Packers will return cornerback Jaire Alexander to the team’s 53-man roster on Wednesday, but it’s still a mystery of when the All-Pro will actually return to the game field.
Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Alexander will be activated, but he said his return will be “gradual.”
“When he’s ready, he’ll be available. It’s more or less just making sure everyone is comfortable with where he’s at and making sure he’s good for the long haul,” LaFleur said.
Wednesday marked the three-week mark since Alexander opened his 21-day practice window, meaning the Packers had to either activate him to the roster or place him back on injured reserve. In this scenario, the Packers will keep open the possibility of Alexander playing again this season.
Like David Bakhtiari earlier this season, Alexander could continue practicing without actually playing while he recovers from the injury on the active roster. He’s been mostly limited to individual practice sessions over the last three weeks.
The Packers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Because Alexander is now on the 53-man roster, he’ll be included on the injury report.
A second-team All-Pro last season, Alexander injured his shoulder making a tackle in Week 4. He went on injured reserve but did not have surgery, which would have ended his season.
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