Packers face possibility of losing Jaire Alexander for long period
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 03: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is brought down by Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Lambeau Field on October 03, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Im
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Already accustomed to playing without their top pass rusher, the Green Bay Packers now must prepare for the likely absence of their best cornerback, Jaire Alexander.
Alexander injured a shoulder in the second half of the Packers’ 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Without getting into specifics, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday he had spoken with head athletic trainer Bryan Engel and team physician Patrick McKenzie about Alexander’s situation.
"They’re just getting some other opinions on how to proceed, I guess, is the best way for me to say it right now," LaFleur said.
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When LaFleur was asked if he could rule out a worst-case scenario, he replied that "everything's kind of getting looked at right now."
If Alexander misses significant time, it would represent arguably the toughest blow yet for a team already dealing with multiple injuries.
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 03: Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field on October 03, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Image
Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith, who had a combined 26 sacks in 2019-20, hasn’t played since a season-opening 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints and might miss the rest of the season.
"We’re hopeful to get him back, but as far as the timeline, I just know it’s going to be a while," LaFleur said. "I know he’ll do everything he can to try to get back because he’s a big part of this football team."
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Left tackle David Bakhtiari, a 2020 All-Pro selection, hasn’t played all season and will miss at least two more games as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling went on injured reserve with a hamstring issue last week and must miss at least two more games.
The Packers (3-1) played without guard/tackle Elgton Jenkins (ankle) for a second straight game Sunday and also were missing linebacker Krys Barnes and cornerback Kevin King due to concussions.
"You can never have enough great players out there," LaFleur said. "Right now, we’ve got a few of our stud players on the bench due to injury."
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Through it all, the Packers have won three straight games to lead the NFC North. They’ve beaten San Francisco and Pittsburgh the past two weeks while missing their two best offensive linemen.
"If you would’ve told me early in the season we’d be without arguably two of our best linemen for a couple of games and play those two fronts, I would’ve been ecstatic with two wins," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said after Sunday’s game. "And here we are 3-1, beating two fronts without Dave and without Elgton."
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