The Green Bay Packers are heading to Dallas to take on the Cowboys on Sunday in the NFL’s Wild Card weekend. They achieved this opportunity by defeating the Chicago Bears 17-9 this past Sunday. In that contest, the Packers’ defense notched five sacks by five different players: Kenny Clark, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, and Karl Brooks.
Indeed, the Packers’ defense has been playing extremely well over the past two weeks. Following their near disastrous performance against the Carolina Panthers, they have allowed just one touchdown, a seven-yard drive against the Minnesota Vikings following a Samori Toure fumbe on a punt return.
Unfortunately, the Packers defense got some bad news on Wednesday. Star cornerback Jaire Alexander, who has missed 10 games this season due to injury/suspension, did not practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury that he suffered in practice on Wednesday.
Green Bay’s coordinators addressed the media today, and defensive coordinator Joe Barry revealed the severity of the injury and what the plan is for the Packers defense going forward.
Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry Reveals Severity of Jaire Alexander’s Latest Injury
Head coach Matt LaFleur revealed that Alexander accidently stepped on another player’s foot during their run through on Wednesday and rolled his ankle. He also said that he felt it was best to keep him out of practice so he would have a better chance of playing on Sunday.
In his own press conference, defensive coordinator Joe Barry revealed that Alexander’s ankle injury may not be that bad:
LIVE: #Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry meets with the media ahead of #GBvsDAL. 🎙 https://t.co/BWhw1rcteX
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 11, 2024
“He was better today. Now, he didn’t do anything today, but I’m hoping he walks in here tomorrow, practices and has a good Friday.”
The Packers will definitely need Alexander on Sunday to help defend against Cowboys Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. It would make sense for the Packers to keep Alexander limited on Friday so that the ankle does not get any worse.
Joe Barry Wishes One Thing Would Have Been Better Against the Chicago Bears
As mentioned previously, the defense has been playing very well over their last two games. While they were able to keep the Bears out of the endzone last Sunday, Barry did point out one thing he wished had been better.
Green Bay recorded five sacks against the Bears, but Barry says there should have been more:
“We should’ve had seven or eight.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has been sacked 39 times this year, the seventh most in the NFL. The Packers’ pass rush will have to be on its A-game in order to keep Dallas’ dynamic offense at bay. Missed tackles in the backfield could prove costly against one of the best teams in the league.
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