Jaire Alexander Injury Update: Latest on Packers CB's status for Week 17 clash vs Vikings 

On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers will battle the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, hoping to get revenge and keep their quest to leapfrog their division rivals in the NFC standings alive.

The Packers can cut the Vikings' lead in the standings over them to one game. With Minnesota scheduled to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 18, they could finish with the same record, allowing Green Bay to usurp their NFC North rivals in the standings as they hold the advantage in the tiebreakers.

The Packers are aware they likely won't win if they have a defensive meltdown like they did in the two teams' first meeting. They are banking on their secondary to contain the Vikings' explosive receiving unit, but they must do it without Jaire Alexander.

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Jaire Alexander Injury Update: Will CB play against Vikings in Week 17?

The veteran cornerback suffered a PCL tear in the Packers' narrow win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. He returned to the field in Week 11 in his team's 20-19 win over the Chicago Bears, but only for 10 snaps as his injury worsened.

He hasn't played since but did practice this week, prompting speculation that he could play against the Vikings. However, the team announced that he will not play in Week 17.

It's a massive blow to the Packers, who were hoping he'd be available.

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Jaire Alexander's Contract: End of the road for CB with the Packers?

Since handing Jaire Alexander a four-year, $84 million contract extension in the 2022 offseason, the Packers haven't gotten the return on investment they had hoped.

The veteran cornerback played seven games last season and their battle against the Vikings on Sunday will be the ninth he misses this season. With the playoffs around the corner, the Packers likely won't field him for their Week 18 clash against the Bears either.

Alexander's constant absenteeism is a massive issue for Green Bay. The cornerback's current deal with the team has two years left and keeping him will cost the team $53.6 million in dead cap over that span.

The Packers were reportedly considering parting ways with him in the most cost-effective way possible in the offseason. They'll likely depend on the draft to replace him if they cut or trade him.