Packers HC Matt LaFleur gives updates on AJ Dillon, Jaire Alexander ahead of Divisional Round

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur revealed Wednesday that cornerback Jaire Alexander and running back AJ Dillon did not participate in practice ahead of Saturday’s NFC Divisional Round road contest against the San Francisco 49ers.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Alexander, nursing an ankle injury, is doing better and hopeful he’ll be able to take part in Thursday’s practice. Alexander was one of Green Bay’s best players in this past Sunday’s 48-32 Wild Card Round victory over the Dallas Cowboys, recording seven tackles (three solo) and an interception. He aggravated the ankle injury during the third quarter and did not return to the game.

Despite the setback, Alexander was still in a joyous mood speaking with reporters after the game.

“It was lit, honestly. There was no better feeling,” Alexander said. “There’s a few quarterbacks who’ve thrown me multiple picks in my career and Dak [Prescott] is now one of them. So, he’s among my top QBs.”

Dillon, dealing with a thumb/neck injury, has been sidelined since Week 17. Green Bay’s ground game didn’t miss a beat without him, as the team rushed for 143 yards against Dallas.

NFC’s best awaits Packers in Divisional Round

Next up for the Packers is a daunting matchup against the 49ers, who earned a first-round playoff bye as a result of finishing the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Like the Cowboys, the 49ers deploy a potent offense which finished second in total offense (398.4 yards per game) and third in scoring (28.9 points per game).

Regular season statistics didn’t matter much this past Sunday, as the Packers shut down Prescott and co. at every turn. That being said, San Francisco presents a great challenge, one LaFleur discussed.

“We know we’re going against one of the elite teams in the National Football League. Certainly the class of the NFC,” LaFleur said, via the team’s website. “They’ve got a lot of the same players they’ve had for a few years now, and they’ve added some other freak shows over there. We know it’s a great challenge, but it’s a great opportunity, as well.”