Packers list Alexander and Watson as questionable ahead of Cowboys game

The Green Bay Packers are mostly healthy for their wild card round game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Of the 53 players of the roster, just three will have a designation for the game — however, they are all pretty important ones, and two are big question marks to play. Running back AJ Dillon […]

Wendell Ferreira NFL News Writer
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Jaire Alexander
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers are mostly healthy for their wild card round game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Of the 53 players of the roster, just three will have a designation for the game — however, they are all pretty important ones, and two are big question marks to play.

Running back AJ Dillon is doubtful, which means he probably will not play. He already missed the Chicago Bears game in week 18 with a stinger. Cornerback Jaire Alexander and wide receiver Christian Watson are listed as questionable.

Gametime decision

Jaire Alexander didn't practice on Thursday and Friday after hurting his ankle during a light Wednesday practice. Head coach Matt LaFleur said he's a real question mark, and his status will only be decided on gameday.

"We don't know," LaFleur said. "We're just trying to give him up to gametime to figure it out. It will legitimately be a gametime decision."

On Thursday, LaFleur mentioned what happened to generate a new injury.

"It was kind of a freak deal,” LaFleur said on Thursday. "He unfortunately stepped on somebody's foot and rolled his ankle. I know he's doing everything he can to be available."

The coach classified Alexander's situation as "day to day."

The cornerback missed 10 games this year because of back and shoulder injuries. So the ankle issue is the third in a tough season for him.

Better chances

Christian Watson missed the last five regular season games for the Packers after injuring his hamstring against the Kansas City Chiefs. He's also listed as questionable, but LaFleur said his chances at playing this week are better than they were a week ago.

"We'll see with Christian," LaFleur observed. "A lot of it is gonna be how he feels."

Watson had a breakout game last season exactly against the Dallas Cowboys, scoring three touchdowns during a 31-28 overtime win. This season, because of multiple hamstring injuries, Watson played only nine games. He finished the season with 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns.

Who's good to go

Nineteen players were part of the Packers injury report throughout the week, but just the three mentioned above have designations for the game. That means 16 players are officially off the report and will be available against the Cowboys on Sunday. The most notable is wide receiver Romeo Doubs, who left the Bears game early with a chest injury.

These are the players and their injury issues:

Offense: WR Romeo Doubs (chest), G Elgton Jenkins (knee/ankle), RB Aaron Jones (knee/finger), TE Luke Musgrave (kidney), C Josh Myers (neck), WR Jayden Reed (chest), G Sean Rhyan (elbow), OT Zach Tom (finger), RB Emanuel Wilson (shoulder).

Defense: LB De'Vondre Campbell (neck), LB Isaiah McDuffie (concussion/neck), S Jonathan Owens (knee), S Darnell Savage (shoulder), DT TJ Slaton (knee/foot), EDGE Preston Smith (ankle), LB Quay Walker (shoulder).