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.
Walker (groin) and Alexander (shoulder) were two of four players who did not practice on Wednesday. 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.
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 on Sunday.
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.
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, coach Matt 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 safety Rudy Ford, who was inactive with a calf injury last week, practiced 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.
This story will be updated after LaFleur reveals the injury report after Thursday’s practice. For now, here are the injury reports from Wednesday.
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