Green Bay Packers suspend CB Jaire Alexander for conduct detrimental to the team

The Green Bay Packers have decided to suspend star defensive back Jaire Alexander for Week 17’s clash with the Minnesota Vikings.

“Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander has been placed on the reserve/suspended list by the club for one game for conduct detrimental to the team,” the team announced via press release on Wednesday.

The move comes after Alexander made himself a team captain during the coin toss for the Packers’ game against the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve. Alexander, who’s from the Charlotte area, told the officials that the Packers “wanted their defense on the field first,” which almost cost the team dearly, as that’s different from deferring the choice.

“That’s something that you review with the guys before they go out there every time about, ‘Hey, we win the toss, we’re going to defer,’” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters following the Week 16 victory, via the New York Post. “I went to the officials before the game, made sure they knew what we were going to do.

“We had an incident earlier this year where we had a similar situation, so always trying to be proactive in that approach.”

So Alexander wasn’t even supposed to be out for the coin toss, and he almost lost Green Bay a possession, in a game that came down to the wire. It’s understandable why the Packers weren’t happy with his actions.

Alas, Alexander tried to explain his actions after the game, although it likely wasn’t up the snuff for Green Bay.

“I’m like, I mean it’s pretty simple what I said, like I want the defense to be out there,” Alexander told reporters, according to The Athletic via The Post. “They like, ‘You mean defer?’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I guess.’”

Additionally, Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst provided a statement on the matter, explaining Green Bay’s decision on the matter.

“The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly. Unfortunately, Jaire’s actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step,” said Gutekunst. “As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together.

“We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future.”

Jaire Alexander may have taken himself out of the running to be the Packers’ team captain moving forward, but Green Bay will be happy to welcome him back into the lineup in Week 18.