Packers Jaire Alexander - Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The Green Bay Packers are expecting to be without two of their better defenders during Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander re-aggravated an injury to his PCL (post cruciate ligament) in his knee that he initially suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars last month. He stated that he “felt something” happened to his knee last Sunday against the Chicago Bears and was ruled out for the remainder of the game shortly afterward.
The Packers have not provided a timeframe for Alexander’s return to the field, but head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that he doesn’t believe Alexander will be placed on IR. He’d need to miss at least four of the team’s next seven games before he could return to the field if placed on injured reserve. This would leave former first-round pick Eric Stokes and former seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine as the main cornerbacks for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper injured his hamstring during practice on Wednesday, and head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Friday afternoon that he will be out against the 49ers.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has relied on Cooper in a variety of ways over the last several games, including having to help cover athletic tight ends and running backs, which will now be moved onto Quay Walker and Eric Wilson on Sunday due to the 49ers always looking to get stars like George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey the ball.
Comments