Tag: Quay Walker

Packers inactives: Jaire Alexander, Quay Walker OUT vs. Steelers

The Packers will be without two starting defenders, but all 5 players listed as questionable, including three players along the OL, are active vs. the Steelers.

The Green Bay Packers will be without cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but all five players listed as questionable on the final injury report are active and will play.

Alexander (shoulder) and Walker (groin) were both doubtful after missing practices on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Expect the Packers to start Corey Ballentine opposite Carrington Valentine at cornerback and Isaiah McDuffie at linebacker.

Alexander, who is over a back injury but his his shoulder against the Rams, will miss a fourth game in the Packers’ last seven. Walker is missing his second consecutive game after tweaking his groin late in the week last week.

While the Packers will be without two top defenders, the inactive list brought some good news: defensive lineman Kenny Clark, center Josh Myers, right guard Jon Runyan Jr., left tackle Yosh Nijman and safety Rudy Ford are all active despite questionable listings.

The Packers’ other three inactive players are all healthy scratches.

Packers inactive list vs. Steelers:

LB Quay Walker
CB Jaire Alexander
LB Brenton Cox Jr.
T Caleb Jones
WR Samori Toure

Steelers inactive list:

QB Mason Rudolph
CB Darius Rush
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
RB Godwin Igwebuike
DT Montravius Adams
T Dylan Cook
NT Breiden Fehoko

Steelers vs Packers: Green Bay could be down 2 key defensive starters

The Steelers and Packers are going to be shorthanded on defense this week.

We already know the Pittsburgh Steelers will be quite shorthanded on defense this week with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Montravius Adams and Cole Holcomb all absent. The Green Bay Packers could also be down two of their best defensive players as well.

The Packers listed starting linebacker Quay Walker and starting cornerback Jaire Alexander as doubtful this week. Walker currently leads the Packers with 66 tackles and is the team’s primary run-stuffer. With the Steelers starting to focus on the run game, not having Walker on the field is a huge plus for Pittsburgh.

Alexander is the Packers top coverage player and if he cannot go it will complicated this for Green Bay in trying to slow down wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Pickens is in a slump for the last two games and not having Alexander on the field might be just the slump buster he needs.

The Packers also have the following players listed as questionable:

DL Kenny Clark

S Rudy Ford

OL Josh Myers

OT Yosh Nijman

OT Jon Runyan

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Packers CB Jaire Alexander, LB Quay Walker miss full week of practice

Packers CB Jaire Alexander and LB Quay Walker both missed all three practices this week and must be considered unlikely to play vs. the Steelers.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker were both unavailable for all three practices this week and are unlikely to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.,

The Packers listed the pair as doubtful for Week 10.

Alexander, the team’s top cornerback, is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered during last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams. Walker, the standout second-year linebacker, felt tightness in his groin last Friday, missed the win over the Rams and hasn’t practiced since.

The Packers are already thin at cornerback after trading away starter Rasul Douglas at the trade deadline. If Alexander can’t go, the Packers would start Keisean Nickel at the nickel and rookie Carrington Valentine on the perimeter with either Corey Ballentine or Robert Rochell — who were both signed from practice squads last week — opposite Valentine on the outside.

The situation at linebacker is far less concerning. Isaiah McDuffie has made four starts already this season and has already set a new career-high in tackles (46). He would start next to 2021 All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell if Walker can’t play.

Safety Darnell Savage is still on injured reserve, so the Packers would be without four preferred Week 1 starters — Savage, Alexander, Walker and Douglas — if both Alexander and Walker can’t play Sunday. Green Bay’s defense held the Rams to just three points despite not having Savage, Douglas, Walker and safety Rudy Ford (and Kenny Clark for the second half) last week.

The Packers will release a full and final injury report with playing status designations later on Friday. It’s possible Matt LaFleur will rule out both Alexander and Walker when he meets with the media following practice Friday.

Packers LB Quay Walker ‘off to a very good start’ in 2023

The Packers are seeing the second-year leap out of LB Quay Walker.

It’s only been two games, but the Green Bay Packers are seeing noticeable growth from inside linebacker Quay Walker in Year 2.

“I’d say he’s off to a very good start to start the season,” Matt LaFleur said Thursday afternoon. “He’s flying around and I just think he can recognize things. He’s been in the league for a year…his ability to see things and react in a timely fashion and know the intricate details of all the calls helps you play faster and make more plays.”

Walker’s increased reaction speed and understanding of the game have made him one of the team’s top playmakers on defense through the first two weeks. In the season-opening win against the Chicago Bears, Walker delivered the second-half dagger by picking off Justin Fields and running it back for a 37-yard touchdown. It was Walker’s first career interception, but it ended in a concussion after he took a hard hit while crossing the goal line. Walker passed through protocol to play in the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

The trip to Atlanta was rough for basically every member of the Packers’ defense except Walker. The Falcons ripped off an impressive 211 rushing yards in a come-from-behind win, but Walker offered the most resistance, finishing with a career-high 17 tackles.

Despite the disappointing result, Walker’s performance was exactly what Green Bay had in mind when they made him a first-round pick last year.

LaFleur isn’t the only one who thinks highly of Walker’s play this season. He is not only the team’s highest-rated player on defense but also the fourth-rated linebacker in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

Many are noticing a second-year jump from Walker, whose rookie season was clouded by inconsistency and two ejections that required some maturing over the offseason. He returned with a clean slate, ready to put his bad habits behind him.

So far, that has been the case, but it’s a long season. Walker still has 15 more opportunities to prove he is a changed player with the potential to be one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL. Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry says young players struggle with consistency, but Walker has the right approach.

“We’re always fighting for consistency,” said Barry. “I do think the truest measure of a performance is just being consistent. That’s probably the biggest challenge for especially young players early on in their careers, just finding that consistency week in and week out, year in and year out. Quay, the best way to answer why he’s doing what he’s doing is the guy works. He shows up and he works and he prepares. He loves football and it shows in his play. It’s early, but I love where he’s at right now.”

Packers LB Quay Walker clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Falcons

The Packers will have LB Quay Walker available on Sunday vs. the Falcons. He cleared concussion protocol and no longer has an injury status designation for Week 2.

The Green Bay Packers removed the injury status designation of Quay Walker after the second-year linebacker cleared the league’s concussion protocol on Saturday. Walker, who had a pick-six in the season opener, was originally listed as questionable on the final injury report on Friday. With no designation entering Sunday, Walker will be expected to play against the Atlanta Falcons.

Having Walker’s athleticism and playmaking ability available will be big for the Packers defense against the likes of Tyler Allgeier, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts on Sunday. In fact, the entire Packers defense — save for Eric Stokes, who is on the PUP list — will be available for Joe Barry.

Walker, a 2022 first-round pick, suffered a head injury while taking a hit from Bears rookie Darnell Wright at the end of his interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Packers’ Week 1 win.

Walker produced four tackles, one tackle for loss and the interception in the season opener. He played 49 snaps before exiting.

Despite missing Wednesday’s practice, Walker was able to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday.

The removal of Walker’s injury status leaves only three others listed as questionable entering Sunday: running back Aaron Jones (hamstring), receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) and left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee).

Packers LB Quay Walker progressing through concussion protocol

Packers LB Quay Walker (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday, keeping the door open he could play Sunday vs. the Falcons.

The Green Bay Packers upgraded linebacker Quay Walker from non-participant at Wednesday’s practice to limited on Thursday, suggesting the second-year defender is progressing through the concussion protocol and has a chance to play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Matt LaFleur could only confirm that Walker was still in the concussion protocol, but returning to the practice field — even in a limited capacity — is a sure sign that Walker has taken a step forward in the league’s return to play protocol.

Walker, who had the game-clinching pick-six in Week 1, suffered a concussion at the end of the touchdown run when Bears offensive tackle Darnell Wright hit him as he entered the end zone.

The Packers will practice again Friday before providing official injury designations on Friday afternoon. It’s possible Walker will be listed as questionable while he attempts to clear the final stages of the protocol.

If Walker can’t go, the Packers would start Isaiah McDuffie next to veteran starter De’Vondre Campbell at linebacker.

However, having Walker available would provide a boost to a Packers defense that must contend with Falcons running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier and tight end Kyle Pitts on Sunday. Walker’s speed and playmaking ability could be vital for handling the run and clogging up passing lanes in the middle of the field.

The only other changes to the Packers injury report on Thursday was the addition of punter Daniel Whelan, who practiced fully despite a new finger injury. Running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson did not practice and might be trending towards missing Sunday’s showdown in Atlanta.

Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen, who is also in concussion protocol, did not practice on Thursday.

Packers LB Quay Walker in concussion protocol entering Week 2

Packers LB Quay Walker suffered a concussion at the end of his interception return for a TD against the Bears and will be in the league’s protocol entering Week 2.

His 37-yard interception return for a touchdown put the dagger in the Chicago Bears but also placed Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker in the league’s concussion protocol entering Week 2.

Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Walker, who was evaluated for a concussion after taking a big hit to end the return, is officially in the concussion protocol.

Bears offensive lineman Darnell Wright, a 335-pounder, delivered a crushing hit on Walker as he entered the end zone to finish off the interception return in the fourth quarter. Walker left the contest and didn’t return.

Now in the protocol, Walker must pass through several steps, including clearance from the team and an independent neurological consultant, before he can return to the playing field. The Packers play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

In addition to his pick-six, Walker produced four tackles, including a tackle for loss. He was the Packers’ highest-graded defensive player at Pro Football Focus in Week 1.

Third-year linebacker Isaiah McDuffie would start next to De’Vondre Campbell if Walker isn’t able to pass through protocol and play in Week 2.

A rookie in 2022, Walker played in all 17 games. His interception and touchdown on Sunday were both the first of his NFL career.

Watch: Quay Walker gets pick six off former UGA teammate Justin Fields

Both Quay Walker and Justin Fields signed with UGA football as members of the class of 2018

Former Georgia Bulldog Quay Walker and the Green Bay Packers got off to an excellent start to the 2023 NFL season. The Packers won on the road 38-20 against the Chicago Bears.

Quay Walker finished the game with four tackles and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Walker broke several tackles on his interception return.

Quay Walker intercepted former Georgia teammate Justin Fields. Both players were members of the 2018 signing class. Fields transferred to Ohio State after his freshman season.

Here’s a look at Quay Walker’s epic interception return against the Chicago Bears.

Quay Walker finished his career at Georgia and won a national title in his final season with the Dawgs in 2021.

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Green Bay is 1-0 to start the 2023 NFL season. The Packers have a strong defense.

Highlight: Packers LB Quay Walker daggers Bears with interception return TD

Quay Walker’s interception return for a touchdown provided the dagger in the Packers’ win over the Bears in Week 1.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker provided the Week 1 dagger when he intercepted Justin Fields and returned the pick 37 yards for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the Packers’ 38-20 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field.

Walker’s score gave the Packers a commanding 38-14 lead with 12:36 left in the fourth quarter, allowing Matt LaFleur’s team to cruise to a ninth-straight win over the Bears.

The deciding play was one first-round pick intercepting another. Walker, a 2022 first-round pick, stepped in front of Fields’ pass over the middle and then produced an incredible return, bouncing off tacklers before racing into the end zone for the touchdown.

The interception was the first of Walker’s career. It was also his first career touchdown.

Here’s the highlight:

Walker also produced four tackles and a tackle for loss. He helped the Packers defense hold the Bears to just 4.4 yards per play, and his interception was one of two takeaways.

Note: Walker was injured on the play. He was evaluated for a concussion after taking a hit in the helmet from Bears right tackle Darnell Wright.

5 Packers players to watch vs. Bears in Week 1

All eyes will be on Jordan Love on Sunday but what about the other Packers? Here are five players we’ll be watching from Green Bay.

We’re just hours away from the start of the 2023 NFL season for the Chicago Bears, and they kick things off by renewing their historic rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. The Bears and Packers meet for the 207th time, but this matchup will look a bit different than ones in the past.

For the first time in over three decades, the Packers will open the season with someone other than Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers starting at quarterback as they enter a new era. All eyes will be on fourth-year quarterback Jordan Love as he officially takes over for Rodgers. But while Love is easily the most intriguing player on Green Bay, there are others to watch for as well.

Here are five Packers players we’ll be watching on Sunday.