Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander was downgraded to a restricted participant at Thursday’s practice, and coach Matt LaFleur didn’t sound positive about Alexander’s potential to return to the field this week against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I would say probably not,” LaFleur said Thursday when asked if Alexander had a better chance of playing this week compared to last.
Alexander practiced fully last week but was still not physically ready to return from his knee injury, and the Packers were sidelined against the New Orleans Saints. The two-time All-Pro has missed five straight games and played just 10 snaps — in a brief farewell appearance in Chicago — since first suffering the injury on Oct. 28 in Jacksonville.
The Packers listed him as questionable last week.
If Alexander doesn’t play on Sunday, he will miss his ninth game of the 2024 season and 19th in the last two seasons.
Without Alexander Carrington, Valentine and Eric Stokes started on the perimeter at cornerback, with Keisean Nixon on the pitch.
Sunday’s matchup with the Vikings, which features receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, would be a challenge for the Packers without Alexander.
The Packers could return rookie defensive end Javon Bullard, who is practicing again after missing two games with an ankle injury. He has experience on the field and in Jeff Hafley’s defense. It’s possible Bullard will play it unthreatening – considering Evan Williams is dealing with a quadriceps injury – and the corners will remain the same if Alexander is unable to play on Sunday against the Vikings.
