The Green Bay Packers, like many other teams in the NFL, have been struggling with injuries all season long. Unfortunately for the Packers, many of their injuries have been suffered by veteran leaders. On a team that has one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, this is especially problematic.
At 3-6, Green Bay is quickly running out of time if they hope to turn the season around and make a playoff run. In order to do that, the young players need to start fixing their mistakes and the veterans need to get healthy.
With the Bye Week passed, it becomes necessary for players to grind it out and, at times, miss games due to injuries. Jaire Alexander has missed several games this season, first with a back injury and last week with an injured shoulder. Quay Walker missed last week’s game and Rudy Ford has been banged up.
It was revealed on Friday that there was a “mishap” in practice and Rashan Gary is dealing with a shoulder injury. After practice, head coach Matt LaFleur revealed what the game designations are for four of his defensive starters.
Jaire Alexander and Rashan Gary Among 3 Green Bay Packers Defensive Starters Listed as Questionable
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
During his press conference on Friday, Matt LaFleur revealed that Gary, Alexander, and Walker are all questionable for Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Ford is listed as doubtful:
#Packers coach Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander (shoulder) is questionable. Quay Walker, Rashan Gary are also questionable.
Rudy Ford is doubtful.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 17, 2023
Alexander, as mentioned, missed last week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a shoulder injury he suffered against the Los Angeles Rams in Week Nine. Corey Ballentine started in his place in Week 10 and held his own against a poor Steelers passing game.
This week’s matchup is against a much better quarterback in Justin Herbert and an extremely talented wide receiver in Keenan Allen. It will certainly be the toughest offense that Ballentine and rookie Carrington Valentine have faced yet this season. Being able to have Alexander back on the field would be a big boost in this area of the defense.
Who Will Play if the Green Bay Packers Starters Are Out?
If Walker is unable to play again, Isaiah McDuffie would get the start again. He was tied with Ford for a team-high 10 tackles against Pittsburgh.
The Packers are not sure if Gary will be able to play; LaFleur called him a gameday decision. If he is not able to go, Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness will get more playing time.
With Ford likely being out, the Packers’ starting safeties will be Owens and rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. The 2023 seventh round pick started for Ford when he missed Green Bay’s game against the Rams and recorded his first career interception.
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