The Philadelphia Eagles will be without one of their newest additions when they travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers on Monday Night Football.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, who the Eagles acquired prior to the deadline via a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, won’t travel with the team and had been ruled out for the game due to a knee injury/coach’s decision, per the team.
This development is a bit of a bummer for Eagles fans and also probably for Alexander, who spent the first seven seasons of his career as a member of the Packers before being released by the team in June. Players typically appreciate an opportunity to go up against their former franchise, and now Alexander won't get that.
But, Alexander's health for the rest of the season is more important than a single game, and an extra week to focus on recovery and preparation for the remainder of the season could be beneficial, especially since Alexander only appeared in two games for the Ravens prior to the trade.
Prior to being ruled out, Alexander had expressed some excitement about being back at Lambeau Field in a different uniform.
“It's going to be nostalgic,” he said. “It’s going to be fun seeing the guys that I grew up with. Being in the town that pretty much raised me in the NFL. That's always fun. But I'm excited to be back in Lambeau on this side of the thing.”
With Alexander out, the Eagles will still have two players making their debuts with the team: Cornerback Michael Carter II and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. Also veteran linebacker Brandon Graham is expected to make his season debut after recently coming out of retirement.