Packers-Broncos Thursday Injury Report: Jaire Alexander a Big Addition

Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was the only player to miss practice for the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Oct 19, 2023 5:16 PM EDT
Original:
Oct 19, 2023

In this story:

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Thursday’s Green Bay Packers’ injury report was mostly unchanged from Wednesday.

Mostly being the key word.

In fact, there was only one change to the injury report, and it was a noteworthy one ahead of Sunday’s game at the Denver Broncos: Cornerback Jaire Alexander (back) was added to the injury report as limited participation.

Coach Matt LaFleur would not provide any specifics, including whether Alexander was able to finish practice. Of course, it’s worth noting Alexander missed games against the Saints and Lions with a back injury. He played the full game against Las Vegas before the bye.

Just like on Wednesday, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was the only Packers player who did not practice.

Running back Aaron Jones, who was a surprise inactive in the game before last week’s bye against the Las Vegas Raiders? Practiced as limited participation. Safety Darnell Savage, who missed about half of the Raiders game with a calf injury? Practiced as limited participation. Linebacker Quay Walker, who missed most of the Raiders game with a knee injury? He practiced as limited participation, as well.

LaFleur doesn’t expect Campbell will be available for Sunday.

“There was no setback there,” LaFleur said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s just working through everything. I would say he’s probably more doubtful this week. We’ll see where he’s at but, obviously, give him up to game time to prove it.”

Packers LB De'Vondre Campbell
Photo by Dan Powers/USA Today Sports Images

Signed by the Packers deep into free agency in 2021, Campbell was an All-Pro during his debut season with a stat-sheet-stuffing season of 145 tackles and five turnover-producing plays.

Last season, he missed four games with a knee injury, with the Packers going 1-3 during his absence and 4-1 upon his return. He seems on course to miss a third consecutive game with an ankle injury sustained early in Week 3 against the Saints.

Campbell, who has played only 134 defensive snaps this season, is tied for fifth on the team with 22 tackles. Third-year player Isaiah McDuffie, who is fourth on the team with 26 tackles, probably will make his third consecutive start.

“I think he’s done an outstanding job in whatever role we’ve given him, whether it’s on defense or on teams,” LaFleur said on Thursday. “He just brings a great play style. He is very tenacious in his play style and he’s going to hit you. I think he’s done a great job in just knowing what to do and doing it very, very fast.”

Otherwise, the Packers are in good health after playing only one game the past three weeks.

Especially with Campbell sidelined, the importance of Walker’s presumed return can’t be overstated. With 51 tackles in five games, he’s in the top 10 in tackles per game. There have been two games of 17-plus tackles in the NFL this season. Walker has two of them.

The potential return of Jones can’t be overstated, either, after he tweaked his injured hamstring during the final practice before the game at Las Vegas.

“He’s an explosive playmaker,” quarterback Jordan Love said. “That’s a guy that we need to get the ball to when he’s in. The tape doesn’t lie. He does a lot of really good things out there on the field, and defenses just got to account for another guy out there, another playmaker and how they’re going to stop him, put a little bit more focus on him maybe.”

On Wednesday, Walker, Jones, Savage and left guard Elgton Jenkins were limited participation. That was the case on Thursday, as well. On Thursday, Jenkins did not join his teammates on the practice field for the start of practice but was on the field about 10 minutes later.

The Broncos’ injury report was almost unchanged, as well. The lone update was veteran safety Kareem Jackson going from limited to full participation.

Packers Thursday Injury Report

DNP: LB De’Vondre Campbell (ankle).

Limited: CB Eric Stokes (foot), CB Jaire Alexander (back), S Darnell Savage (calf), LB Quay Walker (knee), RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), S Zayne Anderson (hamstring), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee), DT Devonte Wyatt (knee).