Packer Central

Packers-Rams Inactives: Jaire Alexander Out, Carrington Valentine Returns

The Green Bay Packers will not have the services of their premier cornerback, Jaire Alexander, for Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams.

Bill Huber

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown at the Titans in Week 3.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown at the Titans in Week 3. / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
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GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams but Carrington Valentine is back in the lineup.

Alexander, receiver Christian Watson (ankle), defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (ankle), offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (shoulder), defensive end Brenton Cox and offensive tackle Travis Glover are inactive.

Alexander went through a pregame warmup, according to CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson, who will be part of the broadcast.

“Looked good in warmups but hopes to be back next game,” she posted on X.

It marks a second consecutive game that the former All-Pro has been sidelined by a groin injury.

Alexander practiced on Thursday and Friday as limited participation and was questionable on Friday’s injury report.

“He’s getting better, I’ll just leave it at that,” coach Matt LaFleur said on Friday.

Along with Alexander, ]Valentine was questionable but he is back in the lineup after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. He was limited participation at practice all week.

Getting Valentine back is big after the Packers struggled last week against the Vikings. Valentine, Eric Stokes and Keisean Nixon will have to contend with future Hall of Fame quarterback Matthew Stafford but not his two premier receivers, with All-Pros Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua sidelined by injuries. Top tight end Tyler Higbee is out, as well.

The Packers on Friday ruled out Wyatt. That means Colby Wooden, a key cog on the defensive line as a rookie last year, will be active for the first time since Week 1 and play his first defensive snaps since the preseason.

“Man, you just get a chance to play football again, bro,” Wooden said this week. “Being on the sideline, you miss that. You miss that camaraderie being out there with your brothers. Yeah, I’m excited, but it’s different when you’re out there playing with them, lining up, suiting up with them. For me, it’s going to be exciting. I’m playing football again.”

Watson was doubtful with an ankle injury that is significant but not nearly as bad as it seemed in the moment. 

With Romeo Doubs suspended, the Packers will have only three of their main passing-game weapons with receivers Dontayvion Wicks and Jayden Reed and tight end Tucker Kraft. 

“I’m always ready,” Wicks said. “When ‘9’ went down, it happened last year, too. It’s just time to step up, step into a bigger role until he gets back. Just got to capitalize on my opportunities.”

Can fellow tight end Luke Musgrave contribute after a disappointing start to the season? He did not practice all week due to an ankle injury. A source said he would be a game-time decision and he indeed will play. He scored against the Rams last year.

More Green Bay Packers News

The big matchup | Packers-Rams three reasons to worry | Packers-Rams three reasons to believe | Packers suspend Romeo Doubs | Packers-Rams: Five keys | Packers-Rams final injury report | NFC North power rankings and previews | Reintroducing Colby Wooden | Jayden Reed chasing NFL history | Jordan Love struggled under pressure | Brayden Narveson remains confident | Packers-Rams: What channel and what to know | Packers at Rams matchups

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Bill Huber
BILL HUBER

Bill Huber, who has covered the Green Bay Packers since 2008, is the publisher of Packers On SI, a Sports Illustrated channel. E-mail: packwriter2002@yahoo.com History: Huber took over Packer Central in August 2019. Twitter: https://twitter.com/BillHuberNFL Background: Huber graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he played on the football team, in 1995. He worked in newspapers in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells and Shawano before working at The Green Bay News-Chronicle and Green Bay Press-Gazette from 1998 through 2008. With The News-Chronicle, he won several awards for his commentaries and page design. In 2008, he took over as editor of Packer Report Magazine, which was founded by Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke, and PackerReport.com. In 2019, he took over the new Sports Illustrated site Packer Central, which he has grown into one of the largest sites in the Sports Illustrated Media Group.