Packer Central

Packers-Saints Injury Report: Jaire Alexander Watch Continues

Only two players did not practice for the Green Bay Packers on Thursday as they get ready for Monday night against the New Orleans Saints.

Bill Huber

It's a snowy Thursday in Green Bay as the Packers practice before hosting the Saints on Monday.
It's a snowy Thursday in Green Bay as the Packers practice before hosting the Saints on Monday. / Bill Huber/Packers On SI
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GREEN BAY, Wis. – Will this be the week Jaire Alexander returns to the lineup for the Green Bay Packers?

For what it’s worth, Alexander practiced as full participation in the snow on Thursday – the team’s first practice in preparation for Monday night’s home game against the New Orleans Saints.

Of course, Alexander was full participation on Wednesday and Thursday last week but didn’t practice on Friday and was inactive for the victory over Seattle. He also practiced the first two days before the loss at Detroit.

But at least Alexander practiced – in the snow, no less, with treacherous footing – so that would seem to be a positive step.

“We'll take a look at the tape and, hopefully, we can build upon that and have another great day tomorrow,” coach Matt LaFleur said after practice.

The only players who did not practice on Thursday were linebacker Quay Walker (ankle) and safety Javon Bullard (ankle). Bullard was inactive for Sunday night’s win at Seattle and Walker was injured late in the first half against Seattle.

Luke Musgrave, who was designated to return from injured reserve last week following ankle surgery, practiced again, though he did not run any routes during the portion of practice open to reporters. He was limited participation.

Rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd remains sidelined following an appendectomy.

As for Alexander’s comeback from a torn PCL sustained at Jacksonville on Oct. 27, he didn’t hit the requisite speeds to play against Seattle, LaFleur said last week.

“There’s certain requirements to get out there and go play – certain speeds and whatnot,” LaFleur said after Friday’s practice. “When you’re not hitting them, you’re not ready to play.”

Do the Packers need Alexander to beat the Saints on Monday?

No.

After all, they just beat DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett and quarterback Geno Smith on the road without Alexander last week. The task won’t be as daunting on Monday night.

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make his fourth NFL start. Their top receiver, Chris Olave, was designated for return from injured reserve after missing the last five games with a head injury so significant that he met with specialists. After a long layoff, he probably will not immediately return to the lineup.

However, there’s a big showdown looming at Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison at the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday.

It could be beneficial for Alexander to shake off some of the rust after missing five of the last six games (with only 10 snaps against Chicago in the other game).

The Packers are in good overall health, especially when compared to the Saints.

Veteran starting quarterback Derek Carr, who sustained a broken left hand a couple weeks ago, was inactive for the 20-19 loss to Washington and will not play, interim Saints coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday.

Veteran running back Alvin Kamara, who leads the team in rushing yards, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, sustained a calf injury last week. That the Saints signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the practice squad this week might signal Kamara might be out this week.

Plus, three of the team’s top six pass-catchers – Olave, tight end Taysom Hill and receiver/returner Rashid Shaheed – are on injured reserve. Also on IR is cornerback Paulson Adebo, who is tied for the team lead with three interceptions and is second with 10 passes defensed.

Green Bay Packers Thursday Injury Report

DNP: S Javon Bullard (ankle), LB Quay Walker (ankle).

Limited: CB Corey Ballentine (knee), Luke Musgrave (ankle; designated to return from IR).

New Orleans Saints Thursday Injury Report

DNP: QB Derek Carr (left hand), RB Alvin Kamara (groin), WR Bub Means (ankle), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest), DE Chase Young (illness).

Limited: TE Juwan Johnson (foot), CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (shoulder), WR Chris Olave (head).

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Bill Huber
BILL HUBER

Bill Huber, who has covered the Green Bay Packers since 2008, is the publisher of Packers On SI, a Sports Illustrated channel. E-mail: packwriter2002@yahoo.com History: Huber took over Packer Central in August 2019. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillHuberNFL Background: Huber graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played on the football team, in 1995. He worked in newspapers in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells and Shawano before working at The Green Bay News-Chronicle and Green Bay Press-Gazette from 1998 through 2008. With The News-Chronicle, he won several awards for his commentaries and page design. In 2008, he took over as editor of Packer Report Magazine, which was founded by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke, and PackerReport.com. In 2019, he took over the new Sports Illustrated site Packer Central, which he has grown into one of the largest sites in the Sports Illustrated Media Group.