Green Bay Packers announce nine players won't dress for preseason opener vs. Cincinnati Bengals

While Jordan Love and many starters will play in the Green Bay Packers’ preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, there are several players that will not dress, the team announced in a press release 15 minutes before the game. There will be nine players from the Packers that will not play on Friday evening.

• CB Eric Stokes
• CB Jaire Alexander
• RB Lew Nichols
• S Innis Gaines
• LB Rashan Gary
• C/G Jake Hanson
• T David Bakhtiari
• TE Josiah Deguara
• WR Grant Dubose

It’s certainly not a surprise that Bakhtiari is not playing on Friday night. He’s had trouble recovering from the ACL injury that he suffered on Dec. 31, 2020. He hasn’t been quite the same since the injury.

Jaire Alexander needs no introduction on getting acclimated with anything, as he’s one of the team’s best players and certainly doesn’t need any extra reps.

Alexander missed out on a major bonus this offseason as he chose to workout away from the team’s facilities during the workout program and OTAs. Although the team activities are voluntary, Alexander’s contract included a $700,000 bonus for this season if he would participate.

For most people, that’s not an inconsequential sum. However, the veteran corner is certainly not hurting for money. He signed a four-year deal for $84 million last year.

Alexander opened up about why he felt comfortable forgoing the check and the team activities, in favor of his own private workouts.

“I know what works for me at this point,” Alexander said, via Packers.com. “I’m on Year Six, two Pro Bowls, two All-Pros, I mean, I think I know what I got going on here.”

Regardless, Friday night was a great opportunity for the Packers to get some much-needed reps for Jordan Love to get acclimated with the offense and his teammates.

Love threw a beautifully lofted nine-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs to put the Packers up 7-0 with 7:19 left in the first quarter. Love exited the game after completing 7 of 10 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. Sean Clifford came in to take over at quarterback once Love headed to the bench.

Packers running back A.J. Dillon had two carries for 14 yards on Friday evening.

Former Iowa star Tyler Goodson had a rushing touchdown in the second quarter to put the Packers up 14-3. They would go on to win the game, 36-19.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this article.