Packers CB Jaire Alexander 'surprised' by suspension after nearly botching pregame coin toss
Green Bay Packers (8-8) cornerback Jaire Alexander returned to practice Wednesday following his one-game suspension for anointing himself a team captain and nearly botching the pregame coin toss before the 33-30 Week 16 victory over the Carolina Panthers (2-14).
Alexander said he was “surprised” by the suspension but believes he and the Packers are in a better place because of it.
“Yeah, I was surprised by the suspension,” Alexander said, via ESPN. ” I thought maybe I’d get fined.”
Alexander added about his relationship with the Packers: “I think if anything, it improved it.”
Alexander, the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback at $21 million annually, said he learned through the suspension that communication between he and the franchise needs to improve.
“Yeah, I think it was definitely something to learn from,” Alexander said. “There’s definitely things that I could have improved upon during that week to help with communication. Moving forward, that won’t happen again.”
Jaire Alexander learned from suspension, moving forward with Packers
Alexander, the two-time Pro Bowler, has suited up in just six games this season, hampered by a back and shoulder injury. The 26-year-old made his return against Carolina following a six-game absence, recording three tackles and a forced fumble. Without Alexander and Eric Stokes, placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, Green Bay started rookie Carrington Valentine and Corey Ballentine in this past Sunday’s 33-10 Week 17 win over the Minnesota Vikings (7-9).
While head coach Matt LaFleur said Alexander is ready to go for the season finale against the Chicago Bears (7-9), he wouldn’t say if he would return to the starting lineup.
“I’m not going to get into too many of the specifics; you guys will find out later in the week. But I will say that it was great to have him back,” LaFleur said. “We had a great conversation on Monday, and I think he’s ready to go.”
The Packers can clinch a playoff spot in the NFC with a win over their biggest rival. With so much at stake, Green Bay will need to field its best, which includes Alexander.
“It’d be pretty cool, very, very deserving of this season that we’ve had,” Alexander said of potentially making the playoffs. “This would put the candle on the cake.”