Are Packers prepping for no Jaire Alexander vs. Saints?
Practice squad elevations aren't going to dominate the conversation heading into games, but the Green Bay Packers' decision to elevate Corey Ballentine on Saturday will certainly raise some eyebrows. The reason for the curiosity is because star cornerback Jaire Alexander popped up on Friday's injury report with a back issue. The Packers eventually listed him […]
Practice squad elevations aren't going to dominate the conversation heading into games, but the Green Bay Packers' decision to elevate Corey Ballentine on Saturday will certainly raise some eyebrows.
The reason for the curiosity is because star cornerback Jaire Alexander popped up on Friday's injury report with a back issue. The Packers eventually listed him as questionable and said they'd monitor his back throughout the weekend.
Granted the team elevated a defensive back, Innis Gaines, each of the last two weeks. Gaines can play both corner and safety so elevating a DB isn't anything new for the Packers. Also, a third elevation means the Packers would have to sign him to the 53-man roster if they wanted to do it a fourth time. Maybe the Packers are simply trying to keep that free elevation in their back pocket.
Both Ballentine are also good special teams players and the Packers have been adjusting their strategy ever since they lost Tyler Davis during the first pregame matchup of the season. Either way, we'll know what's going on here in a little bit.
Patrick Taylor was also elevated on Saturday. Now, that is his third elevation. Therefore, the Packers will have to sign him to the 53 if they want to elevate him in the future. That also means Taylor will receive a minimum of three NFL game checks – even if he's cut during that span. If Aaron Jones plays, the team will have four running backs on the roster vs. the Saints – unless someone is a healthy scratch.
Saints hit with massive blow on Saturday
The Saints were given their own surprise with one of their best corners when Paulson Adebo popped up on Friday's report with a hamstring injury. The Saints proceeded to rule him out on Saturday, which is a big blow to their secondary.
The team already lost Marcus Maye to a three-game suspension earlier in the week and now they will be without their No. 2 option on the perimeter. Sure, the defense still has Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu, and the up-and-coming Alontae Taylor. That's a solid trio of players, but without Adebo, the Saints may have to do some shuffling in the secondary. Rookie Jordan Howden is expected to take over for Maye, but what happens on the perimeter remains to be seen, especially with Ugo Amadi's status still up in the air.
We'll see what the Saints roll out here in a few hours.
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Featured image via MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
