Green Bay Packers update status of Jaire Alexander, others ahead of matchup vs New England Patriots

The Green Bay Packers listed star cornerback Jaire Alexander (groin) as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, according to the injury report they released on Friday afternoon. He’s one of the best corners in the National Football League, so obviously if he can’t play, it’s a big loss. The Packers’ secondary won’t have to face Patriots quarterback Mac Jones since he has been ruled out with his ankle injury, and they’ll face backup Brian Hoyer instead. Alexander played six snaps before leaving after the first series of the Packers’ 14-12 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not practice on Thursday, but returned to practice on Friday in a limited capacity.

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Green Bay Packers Friday injury report vs New England Patriots

Did not practice — Caleb Jones T (illness)

Tackle Caleb Jones did not practice all week due to an illness. He was the only player listed on the Packers injury report that did not practice on Friday. He’s an undrafted rookie out of Indiana. Jones has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the Patriots.

Limited participants — Jaire Alexander DB (groin), David Bakhtiari T (knee), Jonathan Garvin LB (hip), Elgton Jenkins G/T (knee), Allen Lazard WR (ankle), Marcedes Lewis TE (groin)

Starting left tackle David Bakhtiari returned to practice on Friday after receiving a rest day on Thursday. He was not given a game status but is expected to play on Sunday, along with starting guard/tackle Elgton Jenkins. Bakhtiari played 35 snaps in his 2022 season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and alternated series with Yosh Nijman at left tackle. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said before Friday’s practice that the franchise’s plans for Bakhtiari remain fluid. He’s undergone three surgical procedures since tearing his ACL in late 2020. After the initial operation, he continued to deal with fluid buildup and had a second surgery to clean up his knee during the 2021 season.

Bakhtiari is a five-time All-Pro, so his return to the Packers lineup is massive. Wide receiver Allen Lazard was not given a game status, but he’s expected to play on Sunday.

Full participants — A.J. Dillon RB (knee), Christian Watson WR (hamstring)

In the past few days, Green Bay running back A.J. Dillon popped up on the injury report for the first time this season. He’s been a dynamic tailback in the Packers’ offense this year. He was a limited practice participant on Wednesday, but a full participant on Thursday and Friday. It sounds like his knee issue was minor in nature. Dillon wasn’t given a game status for Sunday but is expected to be available. He’s hauled in eight catches thus far this season and is expected to share the workload once again with Aaron Jones. Packers’ wide receiver Christian Watson has been dealing with a hamstring injury but was a full practice participant on Thursday and Friday. He’s expected to be available on Sunday.