The Green Bay Packers listed cornerback Jaire Alexander as questionable to play for the sixth consecutive week, but coach Matt LaFleur expressed some optimism that his All-Pro cover man will return to his home state of North Carolina and play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
“You know, we’re hopeful, we’ll put it at that,” LaFleur said Friday.
Alexander injured his shoulder while diving to break up a pass on Nov. 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. He’s practiced in a limited capacity for roughly a month but has still missed six straight games.
The Packers listed Alexander — a Charlotte, North Carolina native — as limited in practice all three days this week.
LaFleur has previously said tackling is part of the issue preventing Alexander from returning to the field.
The Packers — who need to win out to have a shot at the postseason — could use Alexander’s return to the field. Cornerbacks Carrington Valentine, Eric Stokes and Keisean Nixon all struggled in coverage during the team’s 34-20 loss to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. Without a top corner, defensive coordinator Joe Barry relied upon heavy zone coverage to contain Mike Evans and ended up getting sliced up by Chris Godwin and others.
The Panthers have struggled throwing the football this season. The team’s top wideouts are veteran Adam Thielen, rookie Jonathan Mingo and deep threat D.J. Chark.
Alexander’s status for Sunday won’t be known until 90 minutes before kickoff — or roughly 10:30 a.m. CT — when inactives are announced.
Alexander has missed nine of 14 games in 2023. He previously dealt with a back injury this season.
Alexander attended Rocky River High School in Charlotte, the home of the Panthers.