Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander picked a bad week for a freak injury. He’s nursing a sprained ankle as the rest of his teammates prep for their playoff road date against the Cowboys.
Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that Alexander rolled his ankle, Wednesday. The Packers were in the midst of a light jog-through practice when the cornerback stepped on someone else’s foot.
“I know he’s doing everything he can to be available,” LaFleur told reporters. “And I’d say it’s day-to-day and we thought it was best obviously (Thursday) to have him not practice.”
Alexander has battled through injuries this season. He’s played in only seven games, including three contests to deal wth a back injury. Coincidentally, he suffered that injury in practice when he collided with Alex McGough, a quarterback on the practice squad who also subs in at safety. Alexander also needed to miss six Packers game because of a shoulder problem. But Alexander was back last Sunday for the Packers key win over the Bears to clinch the wildcard berth. He played every defensive snap.
Reporters asked LaFleur if he’d ever had a player get injured in such a leisurely-paced practice.
“Well it’s happened,” the Packers coach said. “It doesn’t happen very regularly and it was just, it was a freaky deal. It’s not like he was, I mean he was locked in, focused, doing everything we ask him to do and unfortunately just stepped on somebody’s foot and it happened.”
Packers will need Alexander to contend with Dak Prescott
So far, Alexander has missed both practices this week. It’s unclear if he’ll be able to go Friday. Reports out of Green Bay suggest his ankle is feeling better. The Packers certainly will need him. After all, the Cowboys haven’t lost a home game this season. And Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense always are explosive playing indoors at AT&T Stadium. Prescott leads the NFL in touchdown tosses (with 36). CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ best receiver, also leads the league with 135 catches. With 1,749 yards, Lamb is 50 yards behind Tyreek Hill for the league lead.
The Packers may need to use Corey Ballentine in Alexander’s spot. He started six games this season. Green Bay also has used Carrington Valentine along with with veteran Keisean Nixon.
The Packers-Cowboys kick off at 3:30 p.m., Central, on Sunday.
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