Eagles activate corner Jakorian Bennett, place Jaire Alexander on retired list

The Eagles host the NFC North-leading Lions Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

By Reuben Frank • Published November 12, 2025

The Eagles’ cornerback picture continues to evolve with Jakorian Bennett activated from Injured Reserve Wednesday and former all-pro Jaire Alexander placed on the retired list.

Bennett went on IR with a pectoral injury on Sept. 24 and his practice window was opened on Oct. 22, so Wednesday was the deadline for the Eagles to either activate him or shut him down for the year.

The Eagles have been searching for a CB2 opposite Quinyon Mitchell since the spring, and it remains to be seen whether Bennett can elbow his way into that ever-changing competition. He played 24 defensive snaps and 20 on special teams in three games before getting hurt in the win over the Rams on Sept. 21.

Adoree’ Jackson has started four games at outside corner – including the win in Green Bay - and Kelee Ringo has started two – including the win over the Giants before the bye, when Jackson was out with a concussion. In their three other games, the Eagles opened in base, with Cooper DeJean at outside corner.

Bennett, the Raiders’ 4th-round pick in 2023, played in 24 games for Oakland with 11 starts. The Eagles acquired him for defensive tackle Thomas Booker on Aug. 5.

The Eagles didn’t have to create roster space for Bennett with Alexander going on the retirement list just 11 days after the Eagles acquired him and a 7th-round pick from the Ravens for a 6th-round pick.

Alexander, 28, was a two-time Pro Bowler and 2nd-team all-pro in seven seasons with the Packers before signing with the Ravens before the season. But things didn’t work in Baltimore and they certainly didn’t work out here. Alexander practiced with the Eagles last week but was not only declared inactive for the game against his former team, but he wasn’t allowed to travel with the team.

A day after the win over the Packers, it was reported that Alexander – the 18th pick in the 2018 draft - had decided to "step away” from football to decide whether he wanted to continue playing.

Alexander seemed excited about joining the Eagles when he spoke to reporters at his locker on Thursday. He said his knee was healthier than it had been in a long time, but when the Eagles listed him as out for the Packers they listed his knee as one reason, along with "coach’s decision.”

It's all very odd, but Alexander becomes the Eagles’ second former Pro Bowler to retire in mid-season. Edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, signed on Sept. 5, played in five games before leaving the team and retiring on Oct. 13. He still ranks second among Eagles edge rushers with 1 ½ sacks behind Jalyx Hunt, who picked up his second on Monday night.

So with Bennett in and Alexander out, the Eagles’ cornerback room now includes Mitchell, Jackson, Ringo, Bennett, rookie Mac McWIlliams and another new acquisition, veteran slot Michae Carter II.

The Eagles, 7-2, face the NFC North-leading Lions (6-3) Sunday night at the Linc. The Lions are second in the NFL scoring 31.4 points per game.

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/activate-corner-jakorian-bennett-place-jaire-alexander-on-retired-list/695189/

One lost cause for another? 😉

11 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

One lost cause for another? 😉

15 hours ago, time2rock said:

It was a joke bud…

47 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

It was a joke bud…

So hard to tell around here ... especially with cryptic posts like that one.