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Packers, Bears scuffle following hard hit by Jaire Alexander on Justin Fields

Nikki Chavanelleby:Nikki Chavanelle•09/10/23•

NikkiChavanelle

Packers Bears
David Berding/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears had tempers flaring early in their Week 1 matchup on Sunday. After Jaire Alexander saw Bears quarterback Justin Fields out of bounds with a hard hit, players from both sides began to scuffle on the Chicago sideline.

Alexander’s hit on Fields was legal and in-bounds but that didn’t stop the quarterbacks’ linemen from getting into the face of the Packers defenders. At one point, Bears receiver D.J. Moore shoved Alexander to the ground.

In the end, Bears receiver Chase Claypool and Packers nose tackle Tedarrell Slaton received offsetting unnecessary roughness penalties.

Green Bay leads the Bears to 7-3 in the second quarter after a touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Romeo Doubs.

Packers missing Christian Watson for Week 1

Packers quarterback Jordan Love will be without receiver Christian Watson in Green Bay’s season opener. Romeo Doubs was also listed as questionable late in the week but wasn’t on the inactives list on Sunday afternoon.

Both Doubs and Watson are in their second years in the NFL. As rookies, the two receivers combined for 83 catches, 1,036 yards and 10 touchdowns with Rodgers as the quarterback. Watson also missed three games last year with a bad hamstring.

As Love starts his first game at quarterback in the post-Aaron Rodgers era, he’ll need to readjust where he throws.

Even before the injuries, the Packers knew they’d have a green group of wideouts. Samori Toure is the only other receiver on the roster who has played in any regular season games. The rest of the receivers are rookies. The group includes second-round pick Jayden Reed, who is the likely starter in the slot.

The Packers could elevate from their practice squad, which features two receivers. But one of those options is a rookie, the other was active for only two games last season.

LaFleur told reporters Wednesday, “We’ve got a plan in place, and we’ll play the guys that are available and ready to go. The one thing about this league is nobody cares. You’ve got to find a way to get it done, and I think our guys have taken that mindset no matter who’s out there. The expectations remain the same — and that is to go out there and play winning football. So, we’ll get our guys ready to go.”