Packers have mixed injury updates ahead of the Rams game in week 5
The Green Bay Packers are back at practice after losing to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and one of the main reasons for the negative result hasn't had a positive update. After missing week 4's game because of quad and groin injuries, cornerback Jaire Alexander was still out of practice on Wednesday. It's not clear […]
The Green Bay Packers are back at practice after losing to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and one of the main reasons for the negative result hasn't had a positive update. After missing week 4's game because of quad and groin injuries, cornerback Jaire Alexander was still out of practice on Wednesday.
It's not clear if Alexander will be available this week, but head coach Matt LaFleur said that the defensive back is not expected to be out for much longer.
Other absences
Beyond Jaire Alexander, other Packers players were also not practicing ahead of the week 5 game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
Wide receiver Christian Watson suffered what's been reported as a high-ankle sprain. He will not be placed on injured reserve, but is expected to miss some time. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt left the Vikings game early with an ankle injury as well, and didn't practice.
The other non-participants were left guard Elgton Jenkins (who has had a veteran rest day regularly but also has a knee issue) and tight end Luke Musgrave (last week, he was limited with a quad injury, but was able to play).
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, still handling a toe injury, stretched with the team but didn't go outside with his teammates.
Better pieces of news
Not everything was bad injury news for the Packers on Wednesday, though. Cornerback Carrington Valentine, who missed the last two games with an ankle injury, was back at practice.
Last week, Valentine had been limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but didn't practice on Friday. Now he's back once again, and Green Bay has to hope that he plays on Sunday — especially if Jaire Alexander isn't available yet.
The other return to the activities is from first-round rookie guard Jordan Morgan. He injured his shoulder against the Indianapolis Colts in week 2 — the same injury he had during training camp.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Ford is also back. He started the season on injured reserve with a designation for return, and the Packers have opened his 21-day practice window. Green Bay has three weeks to activate him (at any point) or he will be out for the rest of the season.
CB depth
The Green Bay Packers have struggled at the boundary cornerback position beyond Alexander — in the slot, Keisean Nixon has had a solid season. Carrington Valentine, who had a solid performance last season, was also injured.
Eric Stokes hasn’t played at a good level since his rookie season, in 2021. Because of the injuries, the Packers were forced to start Corey Ballentine against the Vikings, and Jordan Addison scored a rushing touchdown taking advantage of him.
The only other options on Sunday were Robert Rochell and Kamal Hadden, elevated on Saturday from the practice squad for gameday.
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