Packers star Jaire Alexander explains the origins of his back injury
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, who is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, explained how he injured his back. BILL HUBEROKTA 10/27/2023 at 6:20 PM EDT
GREEN BAY, Wis. – In South Park, it was “Blame Canada.” For Jaire Alexander, it’s “Blame it on Alex.”
The Green Bay Packers All-Pro cornerback has missed three of the past four games with a back injury and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“Well, I was joking with him right now, but I said, ‘Blame it on Alex,'” Alexander explained after Friday’s practice. Alex is practice squad quarterback Alex McGough. “It happened in practice. It’s his fault. So it’s okay. He didn’t do anything wrong, but it’s his fault.”
Aleksander added: “We worked in the air. I don’t know how a third string QB and starting corner stacks up, but hey, nobody did anything wrong.
The collision occurred while McGough was on the scout team as a tight end.
“Yes, it’s his fault,” said Alexander, all the while smiling.
Alexander missed the back-to-back games against New Orleans and Detroit, but felt well enough to play in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
“As athletes, we play through a lot of different things,” Alexander said. “It definitely took it to the limit, but you know, I went against Davante Adams.”
After the loss to the Raiders, the Packers had a bye week. In Week 7 at Denver, Alexander practiced to start the week, but the injury flared up and he was inactive in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos.
This week, Alexander was limited on Wednesday, didn’t practice on Thursday and was limited again on Friday.
“Honestly, it’s just something to manage throughout the week,” Alexander said. – Man, when I played in the Raiders game, that [shit] hurt. But you know, I was against Tae. it didn’t matter They were expected to win that game last week, so they need me there
The Packers (2-4) need him. Three straight losers face a must-win game against the surging Vikings, who are 3-4. With All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson on injured reserve with a hamstring strain, the Vikings won two straight games. Entering this week’s games, quarterback Kirk Cousins was first in the league in touchdown passes and second in yards. “I’m ready to win,” Alexander said. “I’m sure everyone is ready to win now. Hopefully that will change this week and we’ll make improvements this time.”
How Alexander feels Sunday will be a key factor in whether he is on the field against Cousins and his explosive rookie Jordan Addison. He believes he has a “good chance” to return to the lineup.
“Move and see how everything feels. But that’s the plan,” Alexander said.
Regardless of whether he plays on Sunday, what can Alexander do to make sure his back doesn’t burn out again the next time he faces a scout team quarterback or Pro Bowl receiver?
“What I’m going through is not normal,” he said, “but I’m not going to talk about it with you all either. It’s just something I have to deal with.”
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