U of L's Jaire Alexander will remain out until he’s '100 percent,' father says

The Louisville football team is still being cautious with cornerback Jaire Alexander’s knee injury. His father, Landis, confirmed by phone Tuesday that Jaire is still day-to-day and won't play until he is fully recovered.

“He doesn’t really have any pain but they just want to take it as a precaution," Landis Alexander said. "They don’t want him to play unless he’s 100 percent.”

U of L coach Bobby Petrino on Monday also described Alexander as day-to-day, though he said the junior had made “a lot of improvement.”

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Alexander suffered a knee injury on Sept. 2 in the first half of the season opener and has not played since. He did not dress for last Saturday’s game at North Carolina and his status for this week's game against Clemson is uncertain.

Alexander was a preseason first-team All-American after hauling in five interceptions as a sophomore. He was especially important in last year’s Clemson game, picking off two passes — one in the end zone — and forcing a fumble in the red zone as well.

Ronald Walker has filled in for Alexander at cornerback opposite Trumaine Washington. Reggie Bonnafon has taken over the punt-return duties.

Landis Alexander said he thinks Jaire will assume all of his roles, on defense and in the return game, if he can play, because that will mean that Alexander is at 100 percent.

“I can’t see risking any further injury if he’s not,” Landis Alexander said. “… I like to see him play as much as the next person, but I don’t want to mortgage his future for one game.”