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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jaire Alexander informed the team he is stepping away from football “to try to focus on getting himself right physically and mentally”Alexander did not travel with the Eagles to their road game against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 10, one day before he shared his decision with the EaglesAlexander’s choice to focus on his mental and physical health comes as the NFL is mourning the loss of Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jaire Alexander is stepping away from football to focus on his physical and mental health.
Alexander, 28, reportedly informed the Eagles organization of his decision on Tuesday, Nov. 11, according to ESPN and Fox. He was just acquired by the Eagles on Nov. 1 following a trade with the Baltimore Ravens.
Alexander’s decision comes just one day after Philadelphia defeated the Green Bay Packers 10-7 on Monday Night Football. However, according to ESPN, Alexander did not travel with the team to Green Bay and was listed as out with “knee/coach’s decision” as he continues dealing with an ongoing knee injury.
Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer said on Tuesday that Alexander was stepping away from the Eagles to “try to focus on getting himself right physically and mentally before deciding on his future,” via X.
Jaire Alexander on Aug. 3, 2025.
Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service/Getty
An NFL league source confirmed the report to ESPN on Tuesday.
Alexander was placed on the Eagles’ reserve/retired list on Wednesday and Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett was activated by the team in Alexander’s place.
Alexander was a Pro Bowl select in 2020 and 2022, but he only played two games for the Ravens this season before being traded to Philadelphia. The Green Bay Packers drafted him in 2018 and he spent seven seasons with them before being released in 2024. He had 12 career interceptions for Green Bay, according to NFL.com.
Alexander’s decision to step away to focus on his physical and mental wellbeing comes as the NFL is mourning the loss of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who died after an apparent suicide at age 24 last week.
Since Kneeland’s death, the NFL has taken steps to encourage its players and fans to prioritize their mental health by including information for resources, and players have spoken out about the importance of mental health.
Marshawn Kneeland on Dec. 22, 2024.
Cooper Neill/Getty
“This is a pain you don’t wish upon anybody,” Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said about Kneeland. “You wish none of us had to go through this. You wish Marshawn didn’t have to go through what he went through.”
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