Packers’ Jaire Alexander, Christian Watson Pressing to Play vs. Cowboys

The Green Bay Packers are hopeful that two of their premier players, Christian Watson and Jaire Alexander, will be available for their playoff game at the Dallas Cowboys.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – On Friday, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said cornerback Jaire Alexander and Christian Watson would be game-time decisions for Sunday’s playoff game at the Dallas Cowboys.

That, indeed, will be the case. Both players will go through pregame workouts to determine their availability for the wild-card matchup.

However, ESPN’s Ed Werder said LaFleur is “inclined” to take a chance on two of his top players rather than take his typically cautious, big-picture-driven approach with injured players.

Because of their value, #Packers HC Matt LaFleur seems inclined to take the risk in playing Christian Watson and Jaire Alexander if they can contribute.

He’s reminded them to be honest because they’re taking a jersey from a healthy player and could leave team short handed.

— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) January 14, 2024

Obviously, from LaFleur’s perspective, there’s no tomorrow if the Packers lose to the Cowboys. If Alexander aggravates the “freak” ankle injury sustained at Wednesday’s practice or if Watson tweaks the hamstring that’s cost him the last five games and the Packers lose, they’ll have about four months to get ready for the start of organized team activities.

Their availability will boil down to pregame workouts.

From there, does Alexander believe he can withstand the rigors of 60 or 70 defensive snaps against a top-tier passing attack led by MVP candidate Dak Prescott and NFL receptions leader CeeDee Lamb?

Alexander can handle the pain – or he can get some help to handle the pain – but can he cut and turn and accelerate at his usual level, or would the Packers be better served starting a healthy Corey Ballentine?

He is going to great lengths to make it happen:

Quick update here on #Packers CB Jaire Alexander. I’m told “Treatment round the clock since Wednesday. He has been in training room all day and treatment at home.” Including sleeping in a compression sleeve. I’ll be monitoring pre game and will update pic.twitter.com/qPdsBWttJB

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 14, 2024

Alexander wants to play – and his input will be important – but Lamb is a premier player. He caught 11 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s game at Lambeau Field.

Does Watson, who had a breakout game with three touchdown receptions against the Cowboys last year, believe he’s at something close to 90 percent so he can reach top gear as the team’s best deep threat?

“That would be the goal (because) 70-75 (percent) with the stuff that I do on the field just isn’t enough,” Watson said this week.

At cornerback, the Packers took out some insurance by elevating David Long from the practice squad on Saturday. If Alexander can’t play or can’t finish the game, they’d rely on Carrington Valentine and Ballentine at the corners and Keisean Nixon in the slot.

The Packers did not elevate receiver Grant DuBose. So, they’ll line up with Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Malik Heath and, perhaps, Watson. They went with Doubs, Reed, Wicks, Melton and Heath for last week’s win against Chicago.

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