Packers-Vikings Thursday Injury Report: Jaire Alexander Out; Aaron Jones Returns
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Three Green Bay Packers starters, including cornerback Jaire Alexander, did not participate in Thursday’s practice, the second of the week before Sunday’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The two pieces of big news:
Alexander, who was limited participation on Wednesday, was on an exercise bike for the start of Thursday’s practice and officially did not participate. The All-Pro cornerback has missed three of the last four games, including Sunday’s loss at the Denver Broncos, with a back issue.
“Just day by day,” coach Matt LaFleur said after Thursday’s practice.
He essentially echoed what he said on Wednesday. Back injuries are tricky, which lends to uncertainty given his day-to-day and week-to-week status.
“With any injury let alone a back, yeah, there’s always concern with it,” LaFleur said. “But, hopefully, he’s getting better and we’re hopeful that he’ll be available this Sunday.”
Running back Aaron Jones, who did not practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury originally sustained in Week 1, was back on the field on Thursday as limited participation. During the portion of practice open to reporters, he took his full complement of reps, including ball-security and catching passes. It appeared he was cutting it loose.
Of the three players who did not practice on Wednesday, center Josh Myers (ankle) was back on the field but tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) and Alexander were out again.
Alexander, Musgrave and outside linebacker Preston Smith (illness) were the only players who did not practice.
If Musgrave doesn’t play, fellow rookie Tucker Kraft could be in line for his first start. After playing sparingly the first four weeks, he logged 23 snaps against the Raiders and 32 against the Broncos.
“He’s going to have to play big for us this weekend,” LaFleur said of Kraft, who’s caught two passes for 5 yards in six games.
Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, who missed the last three games with an ankle injury, and left guard Elgton Jenkins, who is battling through a knee injury, practiced for a second consecutive day as limited participation.
“I think he’s had two good days of practice, so we’ll see,” LaFleur said of Campbell’s potential return. “See where he is at the end of the week.”
Preston Smith
Photo by Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Sports Images
Receiver Christian Watson, who missed the final offensive snap at Denver, practiced as full participation for a second consecutive day.
“It’s tough but, at the end of the day, it’s part of the game,” Watson said. “You’ve just got to find a way. Whoever’s up next, step up. Or if it’s something you can push through and it’s not something that’s keeping you out, just find a way to make it work.
“It’s tough, for sure, anytime you lose a guy because we don’t have that many guys on our roster. So, it’s definitely tough but, at the end of the day, we’ve still got to try to go 1-0 that week and do everything we can. Somebody’s got to step up.”
For the Vikings, standout tight end T.J. Hockenson progressed from did not participate on Wednesday to limited participation on Thursday.
In a huge day of injury news, the Packers on Wednesday:
- Placed safety Darnell Savage on injured reserve, opening the door for Jonathan Owens to start.
- Played cornerback Eric Stokes on injured reserve, another setback following a strong rookie year.
- Signed cornerback Robert Rochell to the 53-man roster.
- Promoted cornerback Corey Ballentine to the 53-man roster.
- Filled Ballentine’s spot on the practice squad.
Packers Thursday Injury Report
DNP: CB Jaire Alexander (back), TE Luke Musgrave (ankle), OLB Preston Smith (illness).
Limited: RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), LB De’Vondre Campbell (ankle), C Josh Myers (ankle), OT Yosh Nijman (knee), LG Elgton Jenkins (knee), DT Devonte Wyatt (knee).
Full: WR Christian Watson (knee), S Zayne Anderson (hamstring).
Vikings Thursday Injury Report
DNP: LB Brian Asomoah (ankle).
Limited: TE T.J. Hockenson (foot), LG Ezra Cleveland (foot), WR Jalen Nailor (hamstring).
Note: Nailor was designated to return from injured reserve.
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