Only two players did not practice for the Green Bay Packers on Saturday as they get ready for Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints. GREEN BAY, Wis. — Could Jaire Alexander, a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers, make a comeback to the starting lineup this week?
Alexander walked out to begin Saturday’s practice after participating fully on Thursday and Friday.
A flawless 3-for-3 practice week is what that entails. Alexander had limited involvement for the first two days leading up to the game on Thursday night in Detroit, but he did not practice on Tuesday and was declared out. Alexander participated fully in the first two days of practice prior to last week’s game in Seattle, but he was listed as out on Friday.
On the last defensive snap versus Jacksonville on October 27, Alexander tore his PCL. He has only played 40.2% of the defensive snaps and missed five of the last six games, including the last four, yet he is tied for second on the team with two interceptions and second overall with seven passes defensed.
Despite being well analyzed by Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, Green Bay’s pass defense played well in the team’s victory over Seattle last week. Geno Smith was taken out by Carrington Valentine, and backup Sam Howell was intercepted by Edgerrin Cooper.
Valentine remarked, “It hurts to lose someone like that, but we always have that next-man-up mentality.” “We all get ready as if we were about to begin, regardless of who’s out there .
Alexander tore his PCL during the final defensive play against Jacksonville on October 27. Despite missing five of the last six games, including the last four, and playing only 40.2% of the defensive snaps, he is tied for second on the team with two interceptions and second overall with seven passes defensed.
Green Bay’s pass defense performed admirably in the team’s victory over Seattle last week, despite being thoroughly examined by Detroit quarterback Jared Goff. Carrington Valentine took out Geno Smith, and Edgerrin Cooper intercepted backup Sam Howell.
Valentine said, “It hurts to lose someone like that, but we always have that next-man-up mentality.” “We all prepare as though we were going to start, no matter who’s Another step toward playing for the first time since Week 4 after ankle surgery was taken by tight end Luke Musgrave, who resumed his practice.
The two players who did not practice on Saturday were linebacker Quay Walker and safety Javon Bullard, who did not practice on Thursday or Friday. Both are coping with ankle problems; Walker suffered his injury in the second quarter, and Bullard was out last week.
Eric Wilson took over the every-down, green-dot communication role at linebacker last week, replacing Walker at middle linebacker.
“I think he performed really well,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said on Friday. “He did it in Indy, he did it (against) Houston, he did it at Jacksonville. At that position, there’s a lot that goes into it. One, he’s got to get the call from me, he’s got to give that to everybody. He’s got to make checks up front, he’s got to make checks behind him, he’s got to calm everything down, he’s got to get certain guys lined up.
“Eric’s a really smart player. When you’ve got to get that green dot halfway through a game, that’s not easy. And when you have to tell everybody else what they’re doing and then go out and execute your job, I know that might not seem hard, but that’s not easy. He’s a veteran guy who brings a calmness and I think he’s had success doing that.
Do the Packers need Alexander against the Saints?
Perhaps not.
The Saints are expected to start rookie Spencer Rattler at quarterback. Their best receiver, Chris Olave, missed the last five games with a concussion. While he has practiced to start this week, he is not expected to play. Former Packers receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who has caught only 14 passes but is fourth on the team with 352 receiving yards and first with four touchdowns and a 25.1-yard average, is dealing with a chest injury and illness.
However, Alexander has played only 10 defensive snaps in about two months, so getting him at least some work against the Saints could make him better prepared for next week’s showdown at the Minnesota Vikings.
Here are Friday’s injury reports. This story will be updated following Saturday’s practice and the release of the final injury reports.
Green Bay Packers Friday Injury Report
DNP: S Javon Bullard (ankle), LB Quay Walker (ankle).
Limited: CB Corey Ballentine (knee), Luke Musgrave (ankle; designated to return from IR).
Full: CB Jaire Alexander (knee).
New Orleans Saints Friday Injury Report
DNP: QB Derek Carr (left hand), RB Alvin Kamara (groin), WR Bub Means (ankle), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness), DE Chase Young (illness).
Limited: TE Juwan Johnson (foot), WR Chris Olave (head).
Removed from injury report: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (shoulder).