Packers-Steelers Thursday Injury Report: Jaire Alexander, Quay Walker Remain Out
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Could the Green Bay Packers face the Pittsburgh Steelers without two of their best defensive players?
It’s certainly possible. At the start of Thursday’s practice, linebacker Quay Walker and cornerback Jaire Alexander pedaled exercise bikes inside the Don Hutson Center while their teammates ran outside for the start of individual drills.
“I’d say so,” coach Matt LaFleur said when asked if he was concerned about Alexander’s availability for Sunday’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Two days in a row not practicing.”
Walker (groin) and Alexander (shoulder) were two of four players who did not practice on Wednesday. On Thursday, the other two, offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (back) and guard Jon Runyan (neck), went through individual drills during the portion of practice that reporters were allowed to watch.
Lining up at left tackle, Nijman made his first start of the season last week against the Rams. However, his back “got twisted” and he was replaced by Rasheed Walker, who had started the previous six games.
If both are healthy, who would start against the Steelers? Both players lined up alongside left guard Elgton Jenkins, so the practice reps didn’t provide any hints to the direction for this week.
Runyan has started 41 consecutive games. He missed one series last week but played the rest of the game.
While Pittsburgh’s offense has been about as inconsistent as Green Bay’s young attack, the presence of Walker and Alexander would be invaluable as the Packers seek a consecutive victory.
Even while sidelined for the Rams game, Walker is first on the team with 66 tackles and tied for first with five tackles for losses. He has one of the team’s five interceptions.
Quay Walker has not practiced for the Packers this week.
Photo by Dan Powers/USA Today Sports Images
Alexander missed three of four games with a back injury but the shoulder is the issue this week.
“He got a little banged up” against the Rams, LaFleur said.
The Packers already are a man down at corner following the trade of Rasul Douglas. If Alexander can’t play, they’d have to start impressive seventh-round rookie Carrington Valentine and journeyman Corey Ballentine alongside slot Keisean Nixon against a Steelers offense that features George Pickens and Dionate Johnson at receiver.
The only other corner on the roster is Robert Rochell, who joined the team a couple weeks ago.
“They have an elite corner in 23 (Jaire Alexander),” Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett said. “Obviously, his resume speaks for itself.”
Starting defensive tackle Kenny Clark, who missed the second half against the Rams with a shoulder injury, was limited participation for a second consecutive day.
“It’s getting better,” Clark said.
Starting safety Rudy Ford, who was inactive with a calf injury last week, was limited for a second consecutive day. He’s second on the team with 48 tackles, first with two interceptions and tied for second with Alexander with four passes defensed.
For Pittsburgh, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who missed a second consecutive day, and defensive tackle Cam Heyward were among four players who did not practice.
“He's been working, he's been running, he's been doing some things,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said of Fitzpatrick. “So, we'll see where it takes us at the end of the week. One thing I do know, if he is ready, he won't need a lot of reps because he's played a lot of football.”
Packers Thursday Injury Report
Did not participate: LB Quay Walker (groin), CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder).
Limited: S Rudy Ford (calf), RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), OT Yosh Nijman (back), C Josh Myers (knee), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee), RG Jon Runyan (neck), DT Kenny Clark (shoulder).
Full: WR Christian Watson (back).
Steelers Thursday Injury Report
Did not participate: S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring), LB Elandon Roberts (knee),DT Montravious Adams (ankle), DT Cam Heyward (groin).
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