Packers CB Jaire Alexander taking extreme measures to prepare to play vs. Cowboys
The Green Bay Packers are giving cornerback Jaire Alexander every opportunity to get cleared to play on Sunday. According to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, the star defender has received treatment “around the clock” since spraining his ankle in practice on Wednesday.
“He has been in training room all day and treatment at home. Including sleeping in a compression sleeve,” Slater reported on Sunday, just a few hours before kickoff.
All eyes will be on Alexander during the Packers’ pre-game warmups. He did not participate in practice on Friday as the shoulder and ankle injuries kept him off the field. Having the highest-paid cornerback in the league available against the explosive Cowboys offense would be huge for Green Bay.
Alexander has battled through injuries this season. He’s played in only seven games, including three contests to deal wth a back injury. Coincidentally, he suffered that injury in practice when he collided with Alex McGough, a quarterback on the practice squad who also subs in at safety. Alexander also needed to miss six Packers games because of a shoulder problem. But Alexander was back last Sunday for the Packers’ key win over the Bears to clinch the wildcard berth. He played every defensive snap.
Christian Watson also game-time decision
The Green Bay Packers also may or may not have wide receiver Christian Watson for the game versus Dallas.
Watson has dealt with a hamstring issue which sidelined him for over a month now. However, NFL insider Ian Rapoport came through with a report Sunday morning that the second-year wideout is going to participate in pregame warmups, where he’ll test out the hamstring to see if it’s good to go.
Here was that news from Rapoport, which he tweeted:
“Packers WR Christian Watson, out since Dec. 3, will work out pregame to test his hamstring and determine if he can play today, source said. For the first time in a month, there is some optimism that he can go. But the workout is key.”
Packers shooting for upset vs. Cowboys
The Green Bay Packers have traveled for the wild card round on Sunday. They’re facing former head coach Mike McCarthy at AT&T Stadium at 4:30 p.m. ET. The two teams are the No. 7 and 2 seeds in the NFC, respectively.
A classic matchup that goes back quite a bit, the Packers have faced the Cowboys in the playoffs eight times, splitting the games 4-4. The meeting on Sunday will be their ninth in the postseason.
The Packers are seven-point underdogs heading into the matchup. The over/under for the wild card game is 48.5 points, per ESPNBET.
On3’s Alex Weber contributed to this report.