Packers-49ers Wednesday Injury Report: Jaire Alexander Doesn’t Practice
GREEN BAY, Wis. – If Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love isn’t the hottest quarterback on the planet, it’s San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Will the Packers have cornerback Jaire Alexander available to deal with Purdy and premier receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk in Saturday’s playoff game?
Alexander, running back AJ Dillon (neck/thumb) and outside linebacker Kingsley Enagbare (knee) were the only players who did not participate in Thursday’s practice, which lasted less than an hour. Alexander is dealing with an ankle injury sustained at practice last week and aggravated during the third quarter of Sunday’s victory over the Cowboys.
“He’s doing better. Just getting treatment,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow. We’re going to have some real reps tomorrow and, hopefully, he’ll be ready to go.”
Alexander’s presence would be vital, just as it was against the Cowboys, with his first-quarter interception setting up Green Bay’s blowout victory. Aiyuk (75 receptions, 1,342 yards, seven touchdowns) and Samuel (60 receptions, 892 yards, seven touchdowns in 15 games) are one of the best one-two punches in the NFL.
“I think he's a little bit further ahead this week than he was last week,” defensive coordinator Joe Barry said.
Aiyuk tied for fourth with 14 receptions on passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield. Samuel was second with 25 forced missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
“They do a great job of mixing and keeping you off-balance in terms of their ability to run the football,” LaFleur said. “Purdy has played at an MVP level. It’s a well-balanced offense. You’ve got to do something to take them off their game, somehow, some way.”
The Packers did not practice on Tuesday. Had they, Dillon (thumb/neck), left guard Elgton Jenkins (knee/ankle), outside linebackers Preston Smith (ankle) and Kingsley Enagbare (knee), and linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (neck) would not have participated.
On Wednesday, Jenkins, Smith and McDuffie were back to work.
Coming off their bye week, the 49ers will take a mostly healthy roster into Saturday’s game. Only defensive end Clelin Ferrell did not practice. As promised, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Logan Ryan and left tackle Trent Williams were back to work after sitting out on Tuesday.
Packers Wednesday Injury Report
DNP: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder/ankle), RB AJ Dillon (thumb/neck), OLB Kingsley Enagbare (knee),
Limited: DT Kenny Clark (back), OLB Rashan Gary (knee), RB Aaron Jones (knee/finger), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee/ankle), LB Isaiah McDuffie (neck), CB Keisean Nixon (toe), S Jonathan Owens (knee), WR Jayden Reed (chest), S Darnell Savage (shoulder/calf), OLB Preston Smith (ankle), WR Christian Watson (hamstring).
Full: LB Quay Walker (shoulder).
49ers Wednesday Injury Report
DNP: DE Clelin Ferrell (knee).
Limited: LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), S Logan Ryan (groin).
Full: DT Arik Armstead (foot/knee), S Ji’Ayir Brown (knee), C Jon Feliciano (back), S Tashaun Gipson (quad), WR Danny Gray (shoulder), TE George Kittle (back), RB Christian McCaffrey (calf), S George Odum (biceps). CB Ambry Thomas (hand).
Removed from injury report: LT Trent Williams (rest).
