Packers-Buccaneers Inactives: Aaron Jones Returns; AJ DIllon, Jaire Alexander Out

Aaron Jones is back after missing the last three games with a knee injury but Jaire Alexander will miss a sixth consecutive game.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers will be without two members of their starting secondary for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cornerback Jaire Alexander will miss a sixth consecutive game with a shoulder injury while safety Darnell Savage is back out of the lineup with a shoulder injury sustained against the Giants.

As expected, running back Aaron Jones will return to the lineup after missing the last three games with a knee injury while his sidekick, AJ Dillon, is inactive with a broken thumb sustained late last week.

Jones will be running at a Buccaneers defense that will have mammoth defensive tackle Vita Vea in the lineup. He was doubtful on Friday’s injury report but was moved to questionable on Saturday. However, star linebacker Devin White is out for non-injury purposes.

Per our @StaceyDales, #Bucs LB Devin White will not play, but it's not injury related.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2023

Packers guard Jon Runyan, when told Vea was doubtful on Friday, still assumed Vea would be on the field.

“We’ve played Vita a few times here and he’s a large human being; I think one of the heaviest in the NFL,” Runyan said. “He’s tough to move out of there. Whether he’s out there or not, we’ll be prepared. I wouldn’t mind if he’s not, though. We’ll see. We’re preparing like he is, though. I know he doesn’t practice much and he plays a lot and is a tough guy. We’re preparing for him to be out there and whatever happens, happens.”

As for Alexander, frustrating is mounting that the two-time All-Pro remains out of the lineup. On Friday, coach Matt LaFleur was asked what Alexander needed to show to get back on the field.

“Just the ability to make sure that he can protect himself and that he feels confident in his shoulder to go out there and play football,” LaFleur said.

Does LaFleur have that confidence? Does Alexander?

LaFleur punted on the answer.

“He was limited today and he is questionable on the injury report,” he said.

Alexander has played in only four games this season and Savage has played in just six.

The Packers’ other inactives: receiver Christian Watson, who was doubtful with a hamstring injury, and outside linebacker Brenton Cox, Caleb Jones and Samori Toure, all of whom are healthy scratches.

The big one there is Toure is down in favor of Bo Melton, who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday, and impressive rookie Dontayvion Wicks, who suffered an ankle injury last week and was questionable on the injury report.

Along with Melton, the Packers elevated running back Kenyan Drake from the practice squad and will serve as the No. 3 back behind Jones and Patrick Taylor. He was active last week, too, but didn’t play. Signed just 11 days ago, he’s been given bite-size portions of the offense.

“A guy with his experience, it’s just learning the terminology,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “Once he can hear all that, kind of can just use his old reps and his past experiences and kind of figure out the language. He seems to have done that pretty well. So, yeah, I think he should be ready to go if we need him.”

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