Packers-Vikings Final Injury Report: Jaire Alexander, Luke Musgrave Questionable
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur listed four starters, including cornerback Jaire Alexander and tight end Luke Musgrave, as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an ankle injury, Musgrave surprised LaFleur by practicing on Friday.
“I’ll tell you what, he’s one tough sucker now,” LaFleur said. “I don’t think too many guys would’ve been able to come back that quickly from what happened to him. It just shows his toughness, his grit, his desire to want to be out there to help the team win. He’s a guy we’re going to keep trying to get the ball to. We’ve got to find ways to do that, but to have him – if he’s available on Sunday – would be a big plus for us.”
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (ankle), center Josh Myers (ankle), Alexander (back) and Musgrave (ankle) are questionable.
The Packers had 11 players listed on their Thursday injury report. In an unexpected twist for the banged-up team, all of them practiced.
Reporters only get to watch the pre-practice stretch for the final practice of the week. Every player on the 53-man roster participated alongside their helmets, typically a good sign the player will practice. When the team ran outside to Clarke Hinkle Field for the start of practice, Alexander ran out the door. Musgrave ran to the side of the Hutson Center, grabbed a different pair of shoes and went outside, as well.
The only player who did not go out was running back Aaron Jones. He stayed inside with a trainer for some additional stretching, though that’s how he’s handled the last few Friday practices as he does maintenance on his Week 1 hamstring injury.
“I feel like I’m close to getting back to being myself,” Jones said. “That’s the exciting part. It’s been a while but it’s the best I’ve felt. If I don’t get to 100 [percent] by Sunday, I’ll probably be there next Sunday. Just taking it day by day, continuing to work at it. It’s like someone applied some smiles on my face because I feel like I’m getting there.”
The two noteworthy developments on Friday were Alexander and Musgrave heading out to practice.
Last week, Alexander did not practice on Friday and was inactive for Sunday’s loss at the Denver Broncos. This week, he did not practice on Thursday. That seemingly was a bad sign for a player who has missed three of the last four games.
However, that he was limited participation on Friday would seem to be a positive step toward him playing against Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who entered the week ranked No. 1 in touchdown passes and No. 2 in passing yards even with All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve.
Jaire Alexander at Friday's Packers practice.
Photo by Bill Huber/Packer Central
“That makes things a lot easier when 18 is not playing,” defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. “When you don’t have a guy like him, it makes it much simpler, but also on the opposite end, when you lose a player like that, especially a corner, yeah, it makes it hard to match guys.”
How Alexander feels on Sunday morning will be the key part of the decision on if he plays.
“Get moving around, see how everything feels. But that’s the plan,” Alexander said.
Musgrave landed awkwardly on his ankle following an illegal hit by Broncos safety Kareem Jackson last week. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday this week. If Musgrave is held back for Sunday, fellow rookie Tucker Kraft could be in line for his first start.
“I’m really fired up about him,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “Every week, he’s gotten a little bit more of a load and he’s done a good job. Yeah, he’s coming along.”
Alexander, Musgrave and outside linebacker Preston Smith were the three players who did not practice on Thursday. Smith was back after missing a day due to illness.
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who missed the last three games with an ankle injury, practiced all three days this week. While he’s questionable, he seems slated to be back in the lineup.
Center Josh Myers, who missed a few plays vs. Denver with an ankle injury, did not participate on Wednesday but practiced the last two days.
“Josh Myers is playing the best he’s played in his career,” offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said.
Jones, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, who aggravated a knee injury against Denver and missed most of the game, and left guard Elgton Jenkins (knee) practiced all week and were not given injury designations.
Receiver Christian Watson, who missed the last-play interception vs. the Broncos with a knee injury, was full participation on Wednesday and Thursday and practiced again on Friday.
For the Vikings, tight end T.J. Hockenson (foot) was not given an injury designation so will play on Sunday. He leads the team with 47 receptions.
Packers Final Injury Report
Questionable: CB Jaire Alexander (back), TE Luke Musgrave (ankle), LB De’Vondre Campbell (ankle), C Josh Myers (ankle).
Vikings Final Injury Report
Out: LB Brian Asomoah (ankle).
Questionable: LG Ezra Cleveland (foot), WR Jalen Nailor (hamstring), KR Kene Nwangwu.
Note: Nailor was designated to return from injured reserve.
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