Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander was downgraded to a limited participant at Thursday’s practice, and coach Matt LaFleur didn’t sound optimistic about Alexander’s potential of returning to the field this week against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I’d say probably not,” LaFleur said Thursday when asked if Alexander had a better chance of playing this week compared to last.
Alexander practiced in full last week but still wasn’t physically ready to return from a knee injury, and the Packers made inactive against the New Orleans Saints. The two-time All-Pro has missed five straight games and played only 10 snaps — during a brief appearance in Chicago coming out of the bye — since first suffering the injury on Oct. 28 in Jacksonville.
The Packers listed him as questionable last week.
If out Sunday, Alexander would miss his ninth game of the 2024 season and 19th game over the last two seasons.
Without Alexander available, Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes have started on the perimeter at cornerback with Keisean Nixon in the slot.
Sunday’s showdown with the Vikings — who feature receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison — would be a big challenge for the Packers without Alexander.
The Packers could return rookie defensive back Javon Bullard, who is practicing again after missing two games with an ankle injury. He has experience in the slot and at safety within Jeff Hafley’s defense. It’s possible Bullard would play safety — considering Evan Williams is dealing with a quad injury — and the corners would remain the same if Alexander can’t go Sunday against the Vikings.