Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander returns to practice

With a game against the Chargers looming, the Packers defense is getting healthier. And the return of All Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander is a big piece of that.

According to information provided by reporters watching Thursday’s practice, Alexander worked out with the team. He missed last Sunday’s game against the Steelers because of a shoulder injury. Plus, he wasn’t able to practice on Wednesday. The Packers will release the projected game status of those on the injury list Friday afternoon.

After Wednesday’s practice, which Alexander spent riding a stationary bike, coach Matt LaFleur wasn’t sure if his cornerback could play Sunday.

“I think he’s getting better but he’s still not ready,” LaFleur told reporters.

If Alexander isn’t able to play, the Packers would turn to rookies Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine.

Jaire Alexander (shoulder) returned to practice.

Also present: The wind.

Only DNP: Rudy Ford (biceps) pic.twitter.com/XLZmVq8CVx

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) November 16, 2023

Rudy Ford is only Packers player missing from practice

The only player who didn’t go through practice Thursday was safety Rudy Ford, who has a injury to his biceps. Ford had been dealing with a calf injury, but he was healthy enough to play against the Steelers. . Ford ranks second on the Packers with 58 tackles.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Packers welcomed back linebacker Quay Walker, the defense’s leader in total tackles and tackles for loss. He missed the last two games with a groin injury.

So why is Alexander’s return so significant? It’s because of who is headed to Lambeau Field. Chargers receiver Keenan Allen is the NFL co-leader with 73 catches. He’s tied with Stefon Diggs of the Bills. And Allen’s six touchdown receptions are third-best in the league.

Plus, quarterback Justin Herbert has thrown for 2,349 yards, which is eighth-best in the NFL. And the Chargers can score. They’ve piled up 28 touchdowns this season, which places them amongst the NFL’s top 10 scoring teams.

So it’s a given that the Packers need to up their defensive game. Because of injuries, Alexander has played in only five games this season.

Green Bay added to secondary depth earlier this week

Meanwhile, the Packers added some depth to their secondary this past weekend. Green Bay signed rookie cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly this past weekend. The Ravens selected Kelly, a former Stanford star, in the fifth round of April’s draft. But Baltimore released him after training camp. The Seahawks added him to start the regular season and he played on special teams in five games. Seattle released him earlier this month. What he lacks in experience he makes up in bloodlines. His dad, Brian Kelly, won a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs.