Missing games due to injury is an unavoidable part of professional football, but availability is often as important as talent — a fact former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander found out the hard way. Signed to an $84 million deal in 2022, Alexander was released by the Packers earlier this month after missing 10 or more games during three of the last four seasons.
The Packers couldn’t square paying Alexander his full salary with his concerning lack of availability in recent years. But swapping out Alexander for newcomer Nate Hobbs doesn’t exactly eliminate the availability concerns at cornerback entering this season. Hobbs, who signed a $48 million deal with the Packers in free agency, has his own recent injury history he must overcome in 2025.
Hobbs played in 16 of 17 games as a rookie in 2021. But over the last three years? Hobbs has missed 16 total games, or almost a full season, due to injuries or illness.
In 2022, Hobbs broke his hand and missed six games.
In 2023, Hobbs injured his ankle and missed four games.
In 2024, Hobbs injured his ankle again and missed four games. He also missed two games over the final three weeks due to an illness.
During each of the last three seasons, Hobbs has missed almost a quarter of the season.
The Packers are counting on Hobbs to be a top player at cornerback in 2025. His deal averages $12 million per season, and the Packers think he can handle playing snaps both in the slot and on the perimeter in Jeff Hafley’s defense. Hobbs was the big acquisition for the Packers at cornerback, a position in transition in Green Bay this season. And not having him for any period of time could be a difficult challenge as the Packers turn to Hobbs, Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as expected starters and Javon Bullard, Kalen King, Kamal Hadden and Micah Robinson as backup options.
Just to note, Alexander appeared in 30 games for the Packers between 2022 and 2024. Hobbs played in 35 games for the Raiders over that same time span.
Injuries are unpredictable things in a sport as rough and tough as football. Hobbs has an aggressive, hard-charging playstyle that might contribute to his recent injury history, but it’s impossible to know if he’ll stay healthy or suffer another injury that costs him games in 2025. The Packers are banking on having him available as often as possible this season.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Can newcomer Nate Hobbs stay healthy for Packers in 2025?
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
