Tag: jaire alexander

Packers GM shoots down possibility of trading CB Jaire Alexander after late-season suspension

Will Packers GM Brian Gutekunst consider trading cornerback Jaire Alexander? His clear answer Thursday: “No.”

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst couldn’t have been clearer when asked about the possibility of trading cornerback Jaire Alexander this offseason.

“No, no,” Gutekunst said Thursday when asked if he would consider trading Alexander, a two-time All-Pro.

Alexander is under contract in Green Bay through the 2026 season. A frustrating season in 2023 hit a boiling point in December when the Packers suspended Alexander in Week 17 for conduct detrimental to the team, creating what could have been a fracture point between player and team. But Alexander returned for the regular season finale and enjoyed arguably his best stretch of the season over the final three games.

“Those things are difficult, those are tough, but at the end of the day it allowed us all to reset,” Gutekunst said. “Really proud of the way Jaire responded to that and I think that’s going to help us moving forward.”

Coach Matt LaFleur was also pleased with the way Alexander responded to the late-season suspension.

“I thought he responded, he did an outstanding job,” LaFleur said last month. “Sometimes, whether if it’s in football or life, sometimes you go through some hardship and you’re better for it. I think Ja could sit here and tell you, as tough as that was, really, on everybody here, I do think our level of communication will be so much clearer and consistent. I think there’s a lot of good that actually ended up coming out of that.”

Alexander dealt with back, shoulder and ankle injuries in 2023 and ended up playing in only nine total games, including the postseason. He broke up a pass in Week 18 against the Bears, had an interception setting up a touchdown in the wildcard round against the Cowboys and then played 98 percent of the defense’s snaps — while battling through an ankle injury — in the divisional round againt the 49ers.

Alexander was a second-team All-Pro at cornerback in both the 2020 and 2022 seasons. His return in 2024 gives the Packers a top player at a premium position for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is expected to play more man-to-man coverage and put more pressure on cornerback play in his style of defense next season.

Packers CB Jaire Alexander did ‘outstanding job’ responding to suspension

Matt LaFleur said cornerback CB Jaire Alexander did an “outstanding job” responding to his one-game suspension in Week 17.

A suspension in Week 17 could have been a point of fracture in the relationship between cornerback Jaire Alexander and the Green Bay Packers, but coach Matt LaFleur ended up extremely pleased with the way Alexander responded and is confident the suspension will end up being a good thing for them both long-term.

“I thought he responded, he did an outstanding job,” LaFleur said. “Sometimes, whether if it’s in football or life, sometimes you go through some hardship and you’re better for it. I think Ja could sit here and tell you, as tough as that was, really, on everybody here, I do think our level of communication will be so much clearer and consistent. I think there’s a lot of good that actually ended up coming out of that.”

LaFleur and the Packers suspended Alexander for a must-win Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings for conduct detrimental to the team. The week prior in Carolina, Alexander — a Charlotte native — joined the three predetermined captains for the pre-game coin toss without permission and nearly made a costly procedural mistake.

After sitting out the win in Minnesota, Alexander returned and played his best football of the season. In fact, across Weeks 18 and the wildcard and divisional rounds of the playoffs, Alexander was the team’s third-highest graded defensive player at Pro Football Focus. He gave up only five catches in three games, and his interception of Dak Prescott set up a key first-half touchdown during the upset in Dallas.

“It was tough on him, tough on me, tough on our team, but I love how he responded. And that’s life,” LaFleur said. “You’ve got two choices. You can either go in the tank, or you can try and learn and grow and be better for it. I certainly think he’s taken that approach.”

A better relationship between Alexander and LaFleur should ensure the All-Pro cornerback is back in Green Bay for 2024 or beyond. The Packers have major issues to address at cornerback and safety but retaining Alexander ensures the defense has a high-quality perimeter coverage player in place for next season.

Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million extension with the Packers ahead of the 2022 season. He is under contract through the 2026 season. Next year, his cap number rises to almost $24 million.

Packers listing CB Jaire Alexander as questionable to play vs. 49ers in divisional round

Packers CB Jaire Alexander is questionable to play against the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.

The Green Bay Packers listed cornerback Jaire Alexander as questionable to play on the final injury report before the NFC Divisional Round vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

Alexander did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday after re-injuring his ankle in the wildcard round in Dallas.

Coach Matt LaFleur said missing practice was part of the process of rehab and recovery ahead of Saturday.

“Just where he’s at right now. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go,” LaFleur said Thursday.

Alexander’s interception of Dak Prescott in the first half set up a touchdown that put the Packers up 14-0. He re-injured his ankle while trying to break down and make a tackle in the second half and didn’t return.

Defensive coordinator Joe Barry thought Alexander was “further ahead” in his recovery this week compared to last week, when Alexander had to get through a pre-game workout before proving he could play Sunday.

If available, Alexander would pair with perimeter cornerback Carrington Valentine and slot cornerback Keisean Nixon as starters. If not, Corey Ballentine would likely start in Alexander’s place. The Packers have David Long Jr. available to be elevated from the practice squad for depth at cornerback.

The Packers also listed running back A.J. Dillon (neck), linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (neck) and punter Daniel Whelan (illness) as questionable to play. Edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare is out after suffering a significant knee injury in Dallas. LaFleur said he wasn’t sure if the Packers would need to place Enagbare on injured reserve to open up a roster spot before Saturday.

Packers CB Jaire Alexander (ankle) sits out practice on Wednesday

Jaire Alexander didn’t practice Wednesday, but coach Matt LaFleur is hoping his top CB will be on the field in some capacity on Thursday.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander was not available to practice on Wednesday after re-injuring his ankle during Sunday’s wildcard win over the Dallas Cowboys, but the door remains open for Alexander to play in Saturday’s divisional round showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.

Coach Matt LaFleur sounded cautiously optimistic that Alexander could participate in some capacity on Thursday.

“He’s doing better. Just getting treatment. We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow. We’ll have some real reps tomorrow, and hopefully he’ll be able to go,” LaFleur said Wednesday.

Alexander was injured in the third quarter while attempting to make a tackle. He missed the rest of the contest, and LaFleur did not think he would have been able to return if needed.

Alexander’s first-half interception of Dak Prescott set up a touchdown that gave the Packers a 14-0 lead.

The Packers estimated Alexander as a limited participant on Tuesday, the first day of the week, but the team did not officially practice. LaFleur is having jog-throughs this week to help the team recover in time for Saturday.

Corey Ballentine would be the expected starter at cornerback against the 49ers if Alexander is unavailable.

Also missing practice for the Packers were running back A.J. Dillon, who has missed two straight games with a stinger in his neck, and edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare, who is believed to have suffered a significant knee injury and will likely go on injured reserve.

A final injury report with playing status designations will arrive Thursday.

Jaire Alexander interception sets up Aaron Jones’ second touchdown

An interception led to a second Aaron Jones score for Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers are a young team. They were playing like experienced vets against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in the first half of their Wild Card game.

Aaron Jones scored his second touchdown of the game and the PAT gave Green Bay a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.

The score was set up by a Jaire Alexander interception of Dak Prescott.

Jones needed some help keeping his uniform together after the score.

CB Jaire Alexander, WR Christian Watson both ACTIVE for Packers vs. Cowboys

The Packers will have Jaire Alexander vs. the Cowboys, and Christian Watson is returning from a hamstring injury. More on the inactives for Sunday.

The Green Bay Packers won’t have running back A.J. Dillon, but cornerback Jaire Alexander and receiver Christian Watson are both active for Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Round showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.

Alexander and Watson were both questionable to play. Alexander will play through an ankle injury suffered midweek, while Watson is returning after missing five games with a hamstring injury.

Both worked out pre-game and got the clearance to play against the Cowboys.

Dillon injured his neck — suffering a stinger — during the Packers’ win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 and will miss his second straight game.

Alexander will be vital to stopping the Cowboys’ top ranked scoring offense. Watson, who caught touchdown passes in three straight games before his injury, could provide a spark on the turf in Dallas, even in a limited role.

The Packers have five healthy scratches on the inactive list. Both receiver Malik Heath and cornerback David Long Jr. are inactive, so the Packers must have some level of confidence in Watson and Alexander making it through Sunday’s game.

The Packers and Cowboys are scheduled for a 3:40 p.m. kickoff from AT&T Stadium.

Packers inactives

RB A.J. Dillon
WR Malik Heath
CB David Long Jr.
S Benny Sapp III
OLB Brenton Cox Jr.
OT Caleb Jones

Cowboys inactives

QB Trey Lance
CB Eric Scott
OT Asim Richards
OT Matt Waletzko
WR Jalen Brooks
LB Tyrus Wheat
DL Viliami Fehoko Jr.

Cowboys-Packers final wild-card injury report: Alexander missing, Gilmore good

The final injury report for Sunday’s wild-card game shows each team’s status and what’s been ailing them. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys ended their regular season with a serious question about their starting cornerback. The Green Bay Packers ended theirs with no such concerns. But as the week of practice leading up to Sunday’s wild-card matchup has concluded, the two teams have reversed positions.

Friday’s practice came with an escalated workout for Stephon Gilmore, who dislocated his shoulder in the Week 18 win in Washington. Meanwhile Jaire Alexander twisted his ankle in practice on Wednesday and hasn’t seen the football field since. Gilmore wasn’t even given a game designation of questionable, that’s how well he’s recovered.

The Cowboys have six players who’ve been monitored throughout the week, with the latest addition being Cooper Rush. It had appeared the club had kicked the illness bug, but Rush missed Friday’s practice. Hopefully no one else comes down with the cold over the next 48 hours.

Here’s a look at the full slate of injured players and how their weeks went.

Packers say WR Christian Watson and CB Jaire Alexander are game-time decisions for wildcard vs. Cowboys

The Packers are listing CB Jaire Alexander and WR Christian Watson as questionable to play for Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Round showdown with the Cowboys.

The Green Bay Packers are listing running back A.J. Dillon as doubtful and receiver Christian Watson and cornerback Jaire Alexander as questionable to play for Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Round showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

Dillon didn’t play in the regular season finale or practice this week while dealing with a stinger in his neck. The Packers haven’t had a player listed as doubtful play in a game since 2019, so Dillon is unlikely to be available behind Aaron Jones in Dallas.

The real mysteries will be with Watson and Alexander.

Watson has missed five straight games with a hamstring injury. While Matt LaFleur admitted some gamesmanship in his playing status last week, the Packers coach said Watson — who practiced all three days this week — is further along than last week and truly questionable to play Sunday.

“We’ll see on Christian. A lot of it is going to be on how he feels, and where we’re at with him,” LaFleur said.

Alexander suffered a “freak” injury when he rolled his ankle during a jog-through practice on Wednesday. He didn’t practice Thursday or Friday and will be a game-time decision come Sunday.

“We’re just trying to give him up to game time to figure it out. He will legitimately be a game-time decision,” LaFleur said.

The Packers would likely start Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine at cornerback against the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense if Alexander can’t play.

Inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff, so the statuses of Watson and Alexander might not be known until roughly 1:55 p.m. CT on Sunday.

The other 16 players on the Packers’ 19-player injury report do not have playing status designations and are expected to play Sunday against the Cowboys.

Packers CB Jaire Alexander suffers ‘freak’ ankle injury, considered day to day

Packers coach Matt LaFleur said CB Jaire Alexander is day to day after suffering a freak ankle injury during Wednesday’s jog-through practice.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander suffered what Matt LaFleur labeled a “freaky” injury when he rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s jog through practice in Green Bay.

Alexander didn’t practice Thursday, just three days out from Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Round showdown with the Dallas Cowboys, and LaFleur isn’t sure if his top cornerback will be available.

“Yeah, so, it was kind of a freak deal yesterday,” LaFleur said Thursday. “He unfortunately stepped on somebody’s foot and rolled his ankle. I know he’s doing everything he can to be available. I’d say it’s day to day. We thought it was best today to have him not practice.”

Alexander returned from a one-game suspension and played one of his best games of the 2023 season during the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears. He would be vital to the Packers’ defensive game plan against MVP candidate Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ No. 1 ranked scoring offense on Sunday.

If Alexander can’t play, the Packers would have to go back to Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine at perimeter cornerback with Keisean Nixon in the slot.

Alexander, an All-Pro in 2020 and 2022, played in only seven games this season. He broke up five passes and forced a fumble over 446 snaps.

Alexander will be listed as a “did not participate” on Thursday’s injury report. The Packers will practice again Friday and provide a final injury report — with playing status designations — later on Friday afternoon. It’s possible Alexander will be a true game-time decision come Sunday.

Jaire Alexander summed up the Packers vibes by gloriously crashing a local newscast

“I’m just here to tell you, Pack is back. Uh!”

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is one of the best defenders in the NFL. He’s also one of the game’s best characters.

He had the chance to back up both these claims in 2023. While his on-field production suffered thanks to injury — he only played in seven games and had a career-worst 120.7 passer rating allowed in those games — his personality shined through in unexpected ways. Like when he crashed the coin toss in a must-win game against his hometown Carolina Panthers and nearly blew the call.

Or on Monday, where one day after clinching an unlikely playoff berth after a 3-6 start, he crashed a local news segment to tell the world the “Pack is back.”

Credit where it’s due, that on-site reporter wasn’t flustered by her unexpected co-star. She also didn’t know who he was, calling the former All-Pro “a fan” instead of, you know, one of the biggest stars of the Green Bay defense. Still, Alexander summed up the vibes in Wisconsin succinctly after winning three straight games to rally all the way from 3-6 to a Wild Card bid. Now he’ll have to back that talk up against the Dallas Cowboys and pending All-Pro CeeDee Lamb to extend the Packers’ season by at least one more week.