Packers-49ers Final Injury Report: Jaire Alexander Questionable
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is one of four players who are questionable for Saturday night’s NFC Divisional playoff game at the San Francisco 49ers.
Alexander was not present for the start of practice on Thursday, their most extensive session of the week before leaving Green Bay on Friday. He did not practice.
“It’s just where he’s at right now and, hopefully, he’ll be ready to go,” coach Matt LaFleur said after practice.
Reporters only were allowed to watch the pre-practice stretch. Alexander was nowhere to be seen inside the Don Hutson Center. Does that mean his injured left ankle won’t be strong enough to be on the field against the high-powered 49ers passing attack with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line?
Not necessarily.
Alexander turned an ankle at last Wednesday’s practice. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday but, after going through an extensive pregame workout, he started and recorded a key interception against the Cowboys.
“I think he’s a little bit further ahead this week than he was last week,” defensive coordinator Joe Barry said after practice on Wednesday. “Last week, to be quite honest with you, when he did what he did on Wednesday, I honestly did not think that there was any chance.”
The team didn’t practice on Tuesday and Alexander didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice, which lasted less than an hour. Afterward, LaFleur said he was hopeful Alexander would be able to get some work during a more extensive Thursday practice featuring some “real reps” rather than jog-through reps meant to get the team ready mentally and fresh physically.
That did not happen, but Alexander did not suffer a setback, LaFleur said.
Running back AJ Dillon, who missed the last two games with a stinger and is “day to day,” according to LaFleur, practiced for the first time in a couple weeks.
Along with Alexander, Dillon, linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (neck) and punter Daniel Whelan (illness) are questionable. Outside linebacker Enagbare has been ruled out following a significant knee injury. Given the overall health of the roster, there’s no pressing need to place him on season-ending injured reserve.
Enagbare and first-round pick Lukas Van Ness had been the No. 2 tandem behind starters Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. The next man up, should the team desire to rotate them by pairs rather than individuals, is undrafted rookie Brenton Cox, who has played less than 10 defensive snaps this season.
Speaking of Enagbare, Barry said: “Where he’s gotten to this point right now in his second year, it’s been awesome to see. Just a guy that just came in and worked his tail off every single day and really followed the lead of Preston and Rashan.
“You might look at JJ’s stats; there’s so many things that show up that JJ has done for us just in raw effort and hustle and playing physical and playing nasty. He’d gotten to the point where he’s been a really good player in the run for us. He will be missed, there’s no doubt about it.”
Both teams should be in good shape for Saturday. With the 49ers coming off their playoff bye, backup defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell is the only player who is out for San Francisco. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is questionable but expected to play. He practiced the last two days.
Packers Final Injury Report
Out: OLB Kingsley Enagbare (knee).
Questionable: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder/ankle), RB AJ Dillon (thumb/neck), LB Isaiah McDuffie (neck), P Daniel Whelan (illness).
49ers Final Injury Report
Out: DE Clelin Ferrell (knee).
Questionable: LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles).
