Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander was not practicing Wednesday after exiting Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Alexander, who is battling through a knee injury, was active Sunday but on a pitch count, and the Packers pulled him from the game around halftime and he didn’t return after playing only 10 snaps.
Alexander isn’t believed to have suffered an aggravation of the injury or any new injury. But given his departure in Chicago and now practice participation to start the week, it’s clear his availability for Sunday’s visit from the San Francisco 49ers is in jeopardy.
Coach Matt LaFleur said post-practice that Alexander will be given the week to see if he can recover in time to play.
Alexander originally suffered the injury late in the Packers’ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 27.
Alexander has been inactive for three games due to injury this season, including a two-game absence for a groin injury. He missed the Packers’ Week 9 loss to the Detroit Lions with the knee injury suffered in Jacksonville, and the bye week in Week 10 wasn’t enough for him to get back to 100 percent before Week 11. Now, a longer absence is possible.
If Alexander isn’t available for Sunday against the 49ers, the Packers would likely lean on Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon as perimeter corners with rookie Javon Bullard in the slot. Eric Stokes, who played only four snaps against the Bears, is another perimeter option, and Nixon can play in the slot.
Per Schneidman, the only other player not practicing on Wednesday was rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd, who needed surgery to correct appendicitis on Friday of last week.
The Packers will provide the first injury report of the week later on Wednesday.